The Camden Fairview Cardinals needed a big week-to-week comeback Friday night against the Booneville Bearcats. The Cardinals arrived in Booneville, after a three-and-a-half hour drive, where the environment was hostile, but it didn't slow them down. Camden Fairview defeated Boooneville 30-22 thanks to solid performances on offense, defense and special teams.
It was not an easy win for the Cardinals, despite their having comfortable leads through multiple quarters. Booneville attempted numerous comebacks on their field, but the Cardinals remained victorious.
On offense, the Cardinals had multiple contributors that found ways to score throughout the game. Among the most reliable playmakers was junior slot receiver/running back Trent Haygood.
The Cardinals' defense played more consistently than in the previous week's loss to the El Dorado Wildcats. One of the players who made a vast improvement this week was senior defensive tackle Khaleb Smith.
Camden Fairview's Trent Haygood and Khaleb Smith are the Camden News' Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week.
Cardinals quarterback Darrell Atkins Jr. was in consideration to named Offensive Player of the Week while junior safety Ronald Buckhanan and senior nickel Jabauree Lockhart were considered for Defensive Player of the Week.
Haygood is the most versatile offensive player the Cardinals have offense this season. He is the most effective slot receiver in the passing game and is the top running back on RPO-schemes.
Haygood has been a reliable playmaker all season for Camden Fairview, but Friday night's game was his most productive as a receiver. He caught three receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown. His longest play was a 70-yard touchdown.
He was also an efficient playmaker in the rushing game. Haygood rushed for 73 yards on six carries for an average of 12.2 yards per carry. His longest run against the Bearcats was 48 yards.
Through three games played this season, Haygood has caught 10 receptions for 205 yards and two touchdowns. He has also rushed for 198 yards on 22 carries.
On the defensive side of the ball, Smith was looking to bounce back after the tough game the week before against El Dorado. The defensive line as a group learned in that game that they need to play more efficiently moving forward in order to get wins.
Smith led the defensive line in a solid performance against the Bearcats. He had one of the best defensive performances of the week, as he helped shut down the Bearcats' wing-option front. He accounted for eight total tackles, five solo tackles and three tackles for loss.
He is also a key blocker on the offensive side of the ball in the heavy package. On a two-point conversion, Smith, lined up as a tight end/fullback, caught a pass from Lockhart for the double PAT.
This game against the Bearcats was Smith's most productive so far this season. This season, he has accumulated 15 total tackles, eight solo tackles and three tackles for loss as the Cardinals' main defensive tackle. He has consistently been double-teamed because of the pressure he can bring in the backfield.