4-6, 2-5

Season complete

Non-conference schedule

Camden 28 - North Central 7

BOONETOWN, S.C. - In the season opener, the Camden Bulldogs fought off a strong challenge by the North Central Knights to come out on top 28-7. 

Camden turned a Dustin Raley interception into points early in the first quarter when Joe Bowers scored from 3 yards out at the 9:03 mark. Ryan Gill's PAT gave the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead. However, a Riguez Alexander fumble recovery and return to the Camden eight-yard line would set up Taghi Williams' one-yard plunge which tied the game 7-7 with 4:18 left in the opening period.

Neither team would tally in the second period, but on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter, Camden's Willis Boykin rambled 64 yards to give the Dogs the lead for good at 14-7.  Boykin would go long again early in the fourth period, this time from 71 yards, to up the Camden lead to 21-7.  Van Nelson would finish off the scoring with a 12-yard run at the 6:55 mark as Camden won its season opener for only the second time in the last five years.

For the game Boykin racked up 188 yards rushing and two TD's on just 11 carries, while the Camden offense rolled up 401 total yards. Boykin was named as Camden's Sports Connection Player of the Game.

Next week, Camden will face a different group of Knights as West Florence visits Zemp Stadium for a 7:30 kickoff.

Scoring Summary

Camden 13 - West Florence 10

CAMDEN, S.C. - Led by a defense who forced West Florence to fight tooth and nail for every yard in the second half, the Camden Bulldogs held off a late drive by the Knights to win their home opener 13-10.  

The Knights scored first, after being set up in Camden territory on the opening kickoff return by Reshaude Miller, who brought it back to the Bulldog 45. Ten plays later Blake Harrison scored from 4 yards out and WF led 7-0.  The Dogs would quickly answer, following a roughing the punter penalty on the Knights, as Willis Boykin sprinted 55 yards for the tying score. 

WF's Jimmy Howell blasted a 45-yard field goal early in the second period and the Knights took that 10-7 lead into halftime.

The only scoring in the second half came on a 12-play, 64-yard drive by the Bulldogs in the third period which chewed up nearly six minutes off the clock.  The SUV, Chris Outten, crashed over from a yard out to cap it and Camden led 13-10 with 3:04 left in the period.

West Florence would mount one final drive, beginning at their 36 with 8:57 to play. It would reach the Camden five-yard line in the waning moments, as they converted two fourth downs and three third downs along the way.  However, a penalty would back them up outside the 10. Then, Alex Nelson sacked the WF quarterback on third down, and on fourth down from the 16, Camden's Dustin Raley blocked the potential game-tying field goal attempt with just over one minute to play. The Dogs ran out the clock to preserve to win.

Unblockable all night, Camden defensive tackle Robert Brown was named the Sports Connection Player of the Game.

Next week, Camden welcomes old rival Hartsville to Zemp Stadium for a 7:30 kickoff.

Scoring Summary

Hartsville 28 - Camden 19

CAMDEN, S.C. - Stung by a Hartsville spurt of 21 points in a span of less than three minutes early in the second period, the Camden Bulldogs fell behind 21-7 and never could quite battle all the way back falling to the arch-rival Red Foxes by a final score of 28-19.

After a scoreless first period, the Bulldogs took the lead on Maurice Johnson's 12-yard touchdown run early in the second period. Ryan Gill's PAT gave Camden a 7-0 advantage.

However, Hartsville would return the ensuing kickoff to the Camden 47 and it took just one play for Will Newsome to find Quincy Stevenson on a 47-yard scoring toss at the 10:07 mark to tie it at 7-all. Then, Hartsville blocked a Camden punt and recovered a Bulldog fumble in quick succession, converting both into touchdowns to take a 21-7 lead.  The Dogs would come back before halftime, marching 67 yards in 15 plays, scoring when Joe Bowers hit Killian Robertson on a fade route on 4th down from the Hartsville five-yard line.  The PAT was blocked and Hartsville led at the break 21-13.

Camden would take the second half kickoff and drive 78 yards in 13 plays, capped by Bowers 11-yard TD sprint.  The try for two failed and with 6:46 left in the third quarter, Camden climbed back to within two at 21-19.

The fourth quarter would be filled with wild, wacky and controversial plays - none more controversial than when Camden blocked a Hartsville field goal try and returned it for a touchdown, only to have the officials mysteriously rule that a whistle no one heard had blown the play dead. Instead of taking the lead, Camden had to settle for the ball at their own 23. After going three and out in that sequence, Hartsville then wrapped up the game driving 65 yards in 16 plays with Newsome scoring from two yards out at the 1:30 mark.  The point after sealed Camden's fate, with the Red Foxes winning it 28-19.

For his efforts on offense, Bowers was named the Sports Connection Player of the Game. Camden opens region play next week at Dreher.

Scoring Summary

Region III matchups

Dreher 35 - Camden 20

COLUMBIA, S.C. - It was the Nick Bethea show in the second half as Dreher pulled away from a 14-14 halftime score to defeat Camden 35-20 in the region opener for both teams at Memorial Stadium. The Dogs got on the board first when Maurice Johnson hauled in 10-yard scoring pass from Joe Bowers to take an early 7-0 lead.

After a Dreher score, the SUV Chris Outten crashed over from 3 yards out to give Camden a 14-7 advantage late in the opening period. However, the Blue Devils would then embark on an 18-play, 88-yard drive consuming 10:23 off the clock, culminating with a 5-yard TD run by Alex Ramos at the 4:54 mark of the first half.  That drive seemed to be the turning point, as both teams headed to halftime knotted at 14.

In the second half, two Camden turnovers led to a pair of Bethea scores, the first from 12 yards out and then the backbreaker - an 83-yard sprint - as Dreher took a 28-14 lead into the fourth quarter. 

Bethea would tally again from 12 yards out with 9:04 left to make it 35-14 before the Bulldogs punched in the final score when Xavier Brown caught a 12-yard TD pass from Jarvin Robinson.

Unofficially, Bethea carried 20 times for 216 yards and 3 scores for the Blue Devils, while Outten was Camden's leading ball-carrier with 14 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown.

The Sports Connection Player of the Game for Camden was senior Dustin Raley, who came up with an interception - his second of the year - and a number of tackles from his safety position. Next week, Camden will look to bounce back when Fairfield Central comes to town for a 7:30 kickoff.

Scoring Summary

Fairfield Central 28 - Camden 0

CAMDEN, S.C. - A game essentially dominated by both defenses turned on several key plays, all going in favor of visiting Fairfield Central (2-3, 1-1) as the Griffins left Zemp Stadium with 28-0 win over the Camden Bulldogs (2-3. 0-2).

After a scoreless first period, F-C linebacker John Mickens intercepted a Camden pass on the tip drill and eluded tacklers to go 63 yards for a touchdown.  Andrew Drake's PAT gave the Griffins a 7-0 lead they would take into the locker room.

On the very first play of the second half, Fairfield Central running back O'Brien McFadden, who was limited by the Camden defense in the first half, took an option pitch from quarterback Chori Evans and sprinted 64 yards down the far sideline to up the Griffins' lead to 13-0.

Then early in the fourth quarter, Camden forced an F-C fumble on a punt return only to watch the Griffins' Larry Perry scoop up the loose football and scamper 80 yards for the game's clinching score. The two-point conversion gave F-C a 21-0 lead and they would add a 16-yard scoring pass from Evans to Shane Boulware with 6:14 remaining to clinch the 28-0 victory.

McFadden finished with 95 yards in 17 carries for the Griffins, while for Camden running back Chris Outten carried the ball 17 times for 53 yards and receiver Terrence Edwards caught three passes for 55 yards.  Camden generated 146 yards of total offense in the game.

The Sports Connection Player of the Game for Camden was senior defensive end Nathan Chestnut. Camden will try for their first conference win this week at Region III co-leader Blythewood. 

Scoring Summary

Blythewood 56 - Camden 19

BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. - Keyed by a 36-point second quarter, the Blythewood Bengals (5-1, 3-0) downed the Camden Bulldogs (2-4, 0-3) 56-19 on Friday night at District Two Stadium.

The Bengals, playing their first year of varsity football, led only 6-0 after the opening quarter with quarterback Richard Mounce accounting for the scoring on 31-yard scamper at the 7:33 mark.

However, Blythewood would flex their offensive muscles early and often on the second stanza, as Mounce threw for two touchdowns of 83 yards to Marquan Jones and five yards to Ryan Smith, while running back James Wilkerson scored on runs of 19 and 11 yards.  Blythewood running back Rodney Jamison also tallied on a 19-yard run, while Camden's lone score came on a one-yard plunge by Chris Outten.  The Bengals led 42-6 at the break.

Camden would dig in and continue to fight in the second half, taking their first possession 65 yards in 13 plays for a touchdown as Outten scored again from one-yard out. Two more Blythewood scores - by Jones and Wilkerson - kept the Bengals comfortably ahead, while the Bulldogs closed out the scoring on quarterback Jarvin Robinson's 10-yard run with seven minutes left in the game.

Camden accumulated 306 total yards on the night and owned the football for nearly 36 minutes. The Sports Connection Player of the Game on Friday night was senior offensive tackle Zack Parrish.

The Dogs return home next Friday night to host Eau Claire. Kickoff is set for 7:30.  

Scoring Summary

Camden 28 - Eau Claire 14

CAMDEN, S.C. - Timely special teams and defensive plays helped the Bulldogs pull one out of the fire on Homecoming 2006, as the Dogs defeated Eau Claire 28-14.

Maurice Patterson returned the game's opening kickoff 71 yards for a quick Camden touchdown, and with Ryan Gill's PAT the Dogs owned the early 7-0 lead.

However, the Shamrocks would keep Camden's offense at bay for the rest of the half and late in the second quarter Eau Claire tied the game with Angelo Canty's 21-yard keeper on 3rd down. The PAT tied it at 7-all with only 1:02 left in the second quarter.

Then the Shamrocks defense would turn in a huge play as Joquell Tisdale intercepted the final pass of the first half and returned it 51 yards for the go-ahead score and with the PAT, Eau Claire owned a stunning 14-7 halftime lead.

That would be all for Eau Claire on this night, though as the Bulldogs' special teams got into the act once again, as Nathan Chestnut blocked a punt early in the third quarter which rolled through the end zone for a safety.  Then on Eau Claire's next possession, linebacker Matt Kersey picked off a Canty pass and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown, giving Camden a 16-14 lead with 7:20 to go in the quarter.

Finally the CHS offense would flex their muscles, driving 80 yards in 14 plays chewing up over 7 minutes off the clock when the SUV Chris Outten scored from 5 yards out to give Camden a 22-14 lead with 5:14 remaining.  And then Kersey would lock up Sports Connection Player of the Game honors with another interception and return for a touchdown - this time from 47 yards out - as Camden closed out Eau Claire on Homecoming night 28-14.

Next week, Camden is on the road to face Chester in an 8 p.m. start.

Scoring Summary

Chester 12 - Camden 6

CHESTER, S.C. - A terrific defensive effort by the Camden Bulldogs kept the Dogs in the game all night, but ultimately the Chester Cyclones found a way to win in the end 12-6.

Camden cornerback Terren Richardson picked off a CC Whitlock pass on the game's first possession and returned it 69 yards for the game's opening score.  The PAT was no good and Camden (3-5, 1-4) led 6-0 with 10:45 left in the first period.

The Cyclones (6-2, 4-1) would take the ensuing kickoff and beginning at their own 7 drove 93 yards in 15 plays, converting a number of 4th downs along the way to tie the game at 6. Whitlock's 3-yard touchdown pass to Jemarcus McClinton at the 3:29 mark of the opening quarter provided the equalizing score.

After a scoreless second period, Chester embarked on another long march in the third, going 80 yards in 12 plays, with Whitlock tossing his second scoring pass of the night, this time to Marquis Coleman from 14 yards out.  Late in the third quarter, Chester led 12-6.

The Dogs has several chances in the fourth quarter to tie the game, but each time came away empty.  A last-ditch drive stalled at midfield with under one minute to go and the Cyclones escaped with the victory.

Richardson, with 2 interceptions, was named the Sports Connection Player of the Game.  Offensively, Willis Boykin rushed for nearly 140 yards and Maurice Johnson gained 49 yards on 7 carries. Next week, Camden closes out its home schedule hosting A.C. Flora at 7:30.

Scoring Summary

Camden 7 - A.C. Flora 3

CAMDEN, S.C. - Led by a stingy defense, the Camden Bulldogs kept their playoff hopes alive on Senior night at Zemp Stadium downing A.C. Flora 7-3.

Both defenses controlled much of the action, but it was a muffed punt by Camden which set up the first score of the game as the Falcons recovered a Camden punt miscue late in the first quarter.  Four plays later, the Falcons kicked a 40-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead with 55 seconds left in the opening quarter.

The Dogs would respond midway through the second quarter, taking over possession of the football on their own 17 with 5:30 remaining in the first half. Eleven plays later, Willis Boykin sprinted into the end zone from 8 yards out and following Ryan Gill's point after touchdown, the Dogs led at the half 7-3.

Both teams traded possessions in the second half, and finally with just over 2 minutes left in the game, the Falcons embarked on a drive from their own 15 and keyed by a long pass from Sims Tomkins to Mo Holler, Flora reached the Camden 38.

However, once again, the Camden defense rose to the occasion as defensive tackle Robert Brown tipped and intercepted a Tompkins pass on the next play to end the Falcons threat and seal the game.

With the win, Camden kept their postseason hopes alive, still needing a win next week and some help elsewhere to make it into the postseason for the 8th straight year.

For his efforts not only tonight but during his career, senior center Thomas Reeder was named the Sports Connection Player of the Game.

Next week, Camden travels to Lugoff-Elgin for a 7:30 kickoff.

Scoring Summary

Lugoff-Elgin 14 - Camden 0

LUGOFF, S.C. - In a game controlled by both defenses, the Lugoff-Elgin offense punched in a key score late in the first half and another late in the game to capture their first win over the Camden Bulldogs since 1997 as the Demons won on Senior night 14-0.

Neither offense could generate much of anything until late in the first half, when the Demons (6-4, 5-2) began a 10-play, 72-yard march culminating with Anthony Gibson's 13-yard touchdown pass to Shane Brown with just eight seconds remaining in the first half. Ricky Taylor's point after touchdown gave L-E a 7-0 halftime advantage.

After a scoreless third quarter, the Bulldogs (4-6, 2-5) started a drive in the fourth period which reached the L-E 44-yard line before the Demons' Quintin Dixon picked off a Jarvin Robinson pass to end the threat.

From there, the Demons drove 56 yards in 10 plays as Jackie Mincey crashed over the goal line from three yards out to seal the game at the 3:53 mark.  Taylor's PAT gave L-E their final margin of victory 14-0.

With the win, the Demons earn a three-way tie for second place in the region and will host the first-round playoff game this Friday night.  For the Dogs, who were eliminated from playoff contention with Dreher's win over A.C. Flora last Friday night, they close out the season missing the playoffs for the first time since 1998.

Individually, Willis Boykin carried the football 15 times for 62 yards, while L-E's Jackie Mincey rushed for 82 yards on 15 carries.

For their efforts, Camden defensive end Avery Kelly and L-E's Shane Brown were named the Sports Connection Players of the Game.

Scoring Summary

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