CAM FOOTBALL: CAM carries playoff like stakes to field in Lenox Friday

Another crucial week in District 8 pits CAM and Lenox in what might amount to elimination game 

By Drew Herron - NT Sports Editor / October 4, 2013

ANITA – Last Friday, at the end of CAM’s Homecoming week, the Cougars picked up a 30-point victory that generated a number of positive things for the blue-and-silver.

Firstly, it was a win on Homecoming to scribe into the yearbook. Secondly, the Cougars think they might have found a permanent solution to their woes on the offensive line. And third, Cumberland-Anita-Massena kept its likelihood of reaching the playoffs alive for at least another week.

With three games left for the 2-4 Cougars (2-2 in District 8), every remaining week becomes a must-win, and thusly, a playoff-like mentality of do-or-die.

The urgency is not lost on this group at Cumberland-Anita-Massena.

“We’re approaching it like a playoff game,” head coach Joe Wollum says of Friday night’s game at Lenox (4-2/3-2).

“If we win this one, we’re going to be in a good position. If we don’t, then we are going to need to ask for a lot of help from some other teams. And you never want it to come down to that, you want to take care of your own destiny, and this is a game we need to win.”

The Cougars broke through for their second victory of the season last week, with a 66-36 win over Essex/South Page.

During practice leading up to the game with E/SP, CAM tinkered with its offensive line configuration, and Friday, those adjustments made a noticeable difference. Most notably in the running attack where senior tailback Dylan Amdor broke loose for 129 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries.

The Cougars also made some schematic adjustments that had Amdor taking direct snaps from center in a wildcat formation. It’s a quicker way to get the ball into the hands of the Cougars’ fastest player, more expedient than a quarterback handoff out of the shotgun, and CAM is trying to find new ways to move the ball effectively.

With freshman Brandon Flathers plugged in at center and Keegan Hosfelt moved to guard, CAM’s coaching staff feels it now has a more formidable front line, and Amdor’s rushing stats bears evidence to that.

“Dylan pointed it out right after the game, (the 122 yards and 2 TDs) is a credit to the offensive line,” coach Wollum says.

Wollum says the CAM defense took a step forward last week, but still allowed too many big plays that the Cougars will try to shore up moving forward. Also last week, CAM scored on both a punt return and a kick return as special teams units made their mark.

This week’s opponent is expected to bring another healthy ground attack, and addressing that is a priority for the Cougars.

CAM’s defense will be asked to stop the run, because so far, Lenox hasn’t experienced as much success with its passing attack. It makes for the traditional game plan that works to make the offense predictable and tries to drive them into uncomfortable situations.

The majority of the yards Lenox has been able to roll up have been on the back of junior running back Dustyn Rauch (25), who has 547 yards (7.4 YPC) and nine touchdowns this season on the ground.

“He’s a fast and shifty little back, and he can really get going in the open field,” coach Wollum says of Rauch. “He’s definitely one we need to try to sew up.”

Perhaps also on the line Friday at Lenox is the current playoff streak for CAM that dates back five years. It was 2007 the last time the Cougars did not qualify for the postseason, and keeping that string intact has also become a motivating factor for the Cougars.

“We want those banners to keep coming into the gym, and not have a gap on the wall,” coach Wollum says. “That’s been a focal point this week.”