Photo by Kyle Lutz
Cameron quarterback Colson Wichterman throws a pass during Saturday’s game against Valley.

MOUNDSVILLE — Cameron coach Tim Brown knows that he has a young squad. He also knows the potential it has when it’s focused and what can happen when it becomes complacent. Both of those things showed Saturday night during the Dragons’ matchup against Valley.

Cameron scored on its first two possessions with ease before seeing Valley get with within six late in the third. The focus, though, returned and the Dragons were able to pull away securing a 34-22 victory over the Lumberjacks at Monarch Stadium.

“The kids were focused and were ready to go for the first two drives. They went down the field and executed the way we expected,” Brown said. “Then I think we just lost our focus. We’re young and we talk about that all the time. I asked them. I said, ‘What are we doing wrong right now?’ They said, ‘We just lost our focus and intensity.’ We couldn’t get back on track a little bit and you have to give (Valley) some kudos. They never quit playing. When the game got close, the kids got their intensity back and they were executing well again.”

Freshman quarterback Colson Wichterman led the Cameron charge as he found the end zone on its first two possessions. A 28-yard scamper on the opening drive was followed by a 2-yarder to the paydirt as the Dragons took a 16-0 lead.

He finished with three rushing touchdowns while going 10 of 16 for 229 yards and a score through the air. He tossed a 41-yard scoring strike to Isaac Ball.

Some of his incompletions, though, were dropped passes. That was one aspect where Brown thought his team lost its focus. The Dragons also put the ball on the ground six times, losing it once. The fumble set up Valley’s first score.

Another loss of focus was on the defense as the Dragons gave up two big scoring plays.

On the first play after the fumble, quarterback Gavin Streets ran down the sideline for a 40-yard score to put the score at 16-8.

With under a minute to go in the third quarter, Streets connected with Triston Bates for a 49-yard touchdown to get within six, 22-16.

“They know that. They are very smart kids and know they didn’t play well. They know they didn’t execute and they’re not happy with themselves. They know we’re going to go to work next week because we play Frontier. And Frontier is going to execute. I just think this is going to be a learning experience. I tell the kids learn from the pass and prepare for the future. And I think that’s what they will do.”

However, on the ensuing Cameron drive, the Dragons regained momentum. Wichterman piloted a drive where all underclassmen contributed on key plays. Along with the strong running game of freshman running back Jason Ross, Wichterman connected with sophomore receiver Cole Burkett. The QB finished the drive with his third score of the evening on a 18-yard run.

Ross increased the Dragons’ lead on the next possession with a 4-yard touchdown as the scoreboard read, 34-16.

“That freshmen class is used to winning,” Brown said. “They won from pee-wee to middle school. They’re talented kids and work hard. Our line is experienced. When our line decides to get with it, they’re very good. It’s just a matter of inconsistency and those are fixable things. Our coaches will do a very good job of addressing that and our kids will respond.”

Streets paced the Lumberjacks offense with 224 total yards. He went 11 of 21 for 130 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions through the air and also ran for 94.

He connected with Thomas Shannon from 24 yards out for the final score of the contest.

“The first quarter, we had two busted plays on defense and they scored on those two busted plays,” Valley coach Logan Miller said. “The second quarter we had another busted play that was a touchdown and in the fourth quarter, we had another one that led to a touchdown. Other than the four plays on defense, we really hung around with them. One, we have to get into better shape. The guys are young and are recovering. They’re getting better every week.”

Ball also had two interceptions for the Dragons.

Cameron 34, Valley 22

Cameron 16 6 0 12 — 34

Valley 8 0 8 6 — 22

C — Witchterman 28 run (O’Neil run), 9:50

C — Wichterman 2 run (Presto run), 5:34

V — Streets 40 run (Streets pass to Shannon), 4:12

C — Ball 41 pass from Wichterman (run failed), 11:42

V — Bates 49 pass from Streets (Streets pass to Shannon), :48.7

C — Wichterman 18 run (run failed), 10:22

C — Ross 4 run (pass failed), 6:57

V — Shannon 15 pass from Streets (pass failed), 2:13

Rushing: Valley 25-80-td (Streets 21-94-td, Bates 2-2, Team 1-(-18), Dallison 2-2). Cameron 38-160-4td (Presto 17-82, Wichterman 9-37-3td, O’Neil 1-15, Ross 8-36-td, Team 2-(-8), C. Burkett 1(-2).

Passing: Valley 11-21-130-2td-2x (Streets 11-21-130-2td-2x, Shannon 0-1). Cameron 10-16-229-td (all by Wichterman).

Receiving: Valley 11-130-2td (Shannon 6-64-td, Higginbotham 3-21, Bates 2-45-td). Cameron 10-229-td (O’Neil 2-31, Lo. Burkett 3-99-td, Ball 2-57, Co. Burkett 3-43).

First Downs: Valley 9, Cameron 18.

Penalties: Valley 6-35, Cameron 5-35

Fumbles: Valley 1-0, Cameron 6-1.