Quick takeaways: Pittsford and Camden-Frontier football fall in the regional semifinals
CLIMAX — The Pittsford and Camden-Frontier football teams represented the county in the 2023 MHSAA playoffs.
Both teams would face familiar foes in their 8-player D2 regional semifinals. Pittsford traveled to Climax-Scotts looking to avenge a 38-30 Week 9 loss to end the season.
Camden-Frontier traveled to Adrian Lenawee Christian Cougars for a rematch.
Their opponents’ defensive play would be the difference maker in both matches.
Climax-Scotts’ defense holds Pittsford on key second-half drives
Pittsford coach Mike Burger called a last-second play in the first half that gave the Wildcats momentum heading into halftime of their regional semifinal at Climax-Scotts High School.
After giving up a long touchdown near the end of the first half, Pittsford went down the field with just 50 seconds remaining to score a touchdown. Pittsford trailed 20-14 at the half, but the excellent play from senior quarterback Gavyn Carden and his receivers kept Pittsford’s drive alive and moving quickly.
After a Legend Gore catch for a first down, Carden spiked the ball with just 0.3 seconds left. Carden found senior Dyrk Hensley for a 7-yard touchdown pass and then ran in the two-point conversion.
Pittsford came out of the half with the ball to start the third quarter. A methodical six-and-a-half minute drive was stopped by a stout Panther defense.
A tailback for Climax Scott’s broke free for a long rushing play that put the Panthers in the Pittsford red zone. Jackson Bagwell scored for Climax-Scotts to cap off the drive and make it a 26-14 lead.
Pittsford again drove into Panther territory on the ensuing drive. A Carden sneak attempt on fourth-and-short could not move the chains, resulting in a turnover on downs.
Bagwell scored again on the ensuing Panther drive. The score was 32-14 with five minutes to go.
Wildcat senior Jake Drawe would haul in a 16-yard touchdown pass with 3 minutes left. Pittsford would hold on defense for another drive before the game would end on a 32-20 final.
Pittsford’s defense rallied after both second-half touchdowns from Climax-Scotts. The Wildcats held the Panthers on both two-point conversions.
Climax-Scott’s two defensive stops in the red zone would be the biggest difference in the game. Pittsford ends its season with a 7-3 overall record and first playoff berth since 2018. This is just its second season as an 8-player program, and conference alignment changes could bode well for a division title race next fall.
Senior quarterback Gavyn Carden had 20 completions for 170 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He rushed for 60 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Senior Lane Lewis had 41 rushing yards.
Senior Legend Gore led the team in receiving yards with 50 and receptions with seven. Senior Dyrk Hensley had five catches for 41 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore Jake Drawe had three catches for 35 yards and a touchdown. Teagan Williams had 33 yards.
Senior receiver Bryce Williams had two receptions for 11 yards. The senior also had a key end zone interception that helped sway momentum back in the favor of Pittsford. The senior struggled with an injury that sidelined him for the final quarter of the game.
Carden led the team with eight solo tackles. Senior Anthonoy Governo had four tackles. Teagan Williams had five tackles. Ryan Evener and Lane Lewis had three tackles.
A more detailed breakdown of the game and quotes from seniors and coaches will be included in Wednesday's print edition story.
Adrian Lenawee Christian 56, Camden-Frontier 6
Undefeated Climax-Scotts faces undefeated Adrian Lenawee Christian for the regional title game. Adrian Lenawee Christian beat Camden-Frontier on the opposite side of the regional bracket in a 56-6 final.
Camden-Frontier’s season ends with a 6-4 overall record and its second straight playoff berth.
Camden-Frontier's senior class led the football team to back-to-back playoff berths in two of coach Rob Wickham's three seasons so far at the helm of the program.
Camden-Frontier has only missed the playoffs in one of their eight seasons of 8-player football. The program will look to break through the playoff win barrier next fall in 2023.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Quick takeaways: Pittsford and Camden-Frontier football fall in the regional semifinals
