Preview: Pittsford heads to Camden-Frontier for the Week 6 Game of the Week
HILLSDALE COUNTY — Our Week 6 Game of the Week pick features a showdown between two Hillsdale County rival football teams that got to meet again on the gridiron in 2022 for the first time since 2016. That 2022 matchup was just a small sample size of what the rivalry will bring to the gridiron for years to come.
Week 5: Prep Football Top Performers for Hillsdale County
This year, Camden-Frontier varsity football looks to return the favor to their Wildcat rivals from Pittsford. This time, Camden-Frontier has the home field advantage, and they are arguably just as improved as the Wildcats from their 2022 season. Camden-Frontier hosts Pittsford football for the Week 6 Game of the Week.
Whoever emerges victorious from this battle will have a clear advantage in multiple factors heading into the final three weeks of the 2023 high school football season. This is our preview of the climactic showdown between C-F and the Wildcats this Friday night.
Keys to a Camden-Frontier Victory
Coach Rob Wickham and the Camden-Frontier varsity football team have already played some of the toughest opponents in the SCAA East division and in the SCAA.
Camden-Frontier's 3-2 overall record includes losses to both 3-2 Bellevue and undefeated Adrian Lenawee Christian. The battled tested C-F football team has played arguably their toughest matchup of the season, outside of facing undefeated Pittsford.
Camden-Frontier enters their Week 6 home showdown with the Wildcats having earned three double-digit victories this season. In their three wins, C-F has outscored their opponents 164 to just 66 points.
Coach's Notebook: Coach's Notebook: Week 5 notes and stats for each prep football game
Camden-Frontier will be going up against a Wildcat defense that has allowed just 40 combined points to opposing offenses this season. The Wildcat offense is also to be feared. The closest scoring margin between Pittsford and their opponents was against Athens in Week 1 when the Wildcats won 44-16.
It will be just as challenging of a game as Camden-Frontier's matchup with Lenawee Christian and Bellevue. Our first key to victory for Camden-Frontier will be for one of their dominant position groups having another standout outing like they did in Week 5 of this season against North Adams-Jerome.
Football Awards: Logan Leggett wins Cottage Inn Gourmet Pizza Player of the Week
Looking to go to war for the Camden-Frontier offensive line will be guards Brayden Miller and Devin Wolff and center Logan Allwardt. The Camden-Frontier offensive line has helped pave the way for a standout rushing attack this season. Camden-Frontier plowed through the North Adams-Jerome defensive front for more than 400 rushing yards in Week 5.
Looking to make plays in the backfield for Camden-Frontier will be Logan Leggett, Brayden Miller, Kaiden Conroy and Kayden Hanning. They will be tasked with making the most of what they can get against a strong defensive line and linebacker group from Pittsford.
Week 5 Recap: Pittsford and Camden-Frontier football win big ahead of their Week 6 showdown
The second major key to victory on Friday night for Camden-Frontier will be to make the most of their ability as a passing team. Senior Worm Wickham has shown flashes of brilliance as the team's leading receiver. However, when faced against strong defensive teams, Wickham has been limited in his ability to exploit matchups.
Leggett and Worm Wickham connected for just 26 yards and a touchdown against Lenawee Christian. Camden-Frontier will need to have a better outing than that if they want to take down the Wildcats.
Keys to Victory for Pittsford
Coach Mike Burger and the Pittsford varsity football team cracked the AP top 10 rankings for 8-Player Division 2 this week. In just their second season of 8-player football, the Wildcats have earned the respect of their peers and rivals with their undefeated start to 2023.
However, the Wildcats have yet to face an opponent that has come within two scores of their final lead. The Wildcat opponents so far this season have a combined record of 5-20. Camden-Frontier looks to be the biggest test the Wildcats have had yet on their schedule.
Week 6 is the start of a brutal schedule that includes two 3-2 teams and two undefeated teams in back-to-back games to end the season. Camden-Frontier will also be the Wildcats' final Hillsdale County matchup of the season.
A win on the road against Camden-Frontier may be enough to push the Wildcats into the playoffs without having to win their final three games of the season. After missing the playoffs with a 5-4 record in 2022, nothing is assured. But a win at Camden-Frontier will at least put the Wildcats in the discussion for a playoff berth and for the division title.
How do the Wildcats pull off the win against C-F on Friday night? The first key to a win will be the battle in the trenches. The Wildcats have shown their ability to stretch the field with senior Quarterback Gavyn Carden and senior receiver Bryce Williams. However, the big plays the Wildcats can make starts up front with the offensive line.
The Wildcat offensive line that includes Brady Hartman, Conner Osborn and Eli Labo (to name a few) have been a dominant group up front all year for the Wildcats. However, they will face a Camden-Frontier front that includes Worm Wickham, Brayden Miller, Kayden Hanning and many more.
If the Wildcats are to be just as successful offensively on Friday as they have been so far, the linemen up front must win the battle in the trenches.
On defense, Gavyn Carden, Dyrk Hensley, Bryce Williams, Teagan Williams and Jake Drawe will be some of the Wildcats called upon to stop quarterback Logan Leggett and the dangerous Camden-Frontier offense.
This season, each of those Wildcats have been able to earn turnover opportunities for their position and shut down any opposing team's passing offense. The biggest key to victory on Friday night will come from that group putting up a no-fly zone over the Camden-Frontier gridiron.
Subscribe Now: For all the latest local developments, breaking news and high school sports content.
Prediction
This game will be won in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Whichever group is able to not only keep their quarterback's jersey clean, but also make life difficult for their opponent, will come out with a win.
The Pittsford Wildcats will have a size advantage on Friday night, but Camden-Frontier has enough athletes at each position group to make them a competitor in this game.
However, Pittsford is undefeated and No. 10 in the state for a reason. Seniors like linebacker Legend Gore, lineman Ryan Evener and lineman Lane Lewis may be the difference defensively for Pittsford that gives the Wildcats the competitive advantage on Friday night.
Add on an impressive group of playmakers on offense and Pittsford has the ability to turn most of their games into wins by double-digits. Camden-Frontier has the players and leaders to pull off the win, but any key turnover or mistake could give the Wildcats a lead Camden-Frontier can't overcome.
We pick the Wildcats to pull away in the fourth quarter for their sixth win of 2023.
Pittsford 38, Camden-Frontier 24
For more sports, follow The Daily News Sports Account on X (formerly Twitter) and reporter Joe Flaherty on X
Story Suggestions: jflaherty@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Game of the Week Preview: Pittsford battles Camden-Frontier football
