CAMERON COUNTY LOOKING TO GET BACK ON TRACK AFTER FOUR SUB-PAR SEASONS

EMPORIUM – It’s hard to believe that Cameron County was the dominant team in District 9 just five years ago.

In 1999, the Red Raiders went 12-1 and advanced to the PIAA Quarterfinals before losing. In the four years since then, Cameron County has gone just 10-28 including a pair of 1-8 marks (2000 & 2003) with just one winning season (5-4 in 2001).

Third-year head coach Brian Lovett (4-14 at Cameron County) is hoping hard work, a teamwork lead the Red Raiders back to the postseason this year.

"We’re focusing on being a team," Lovett told the Tri-County Sunday in DuBois. "Everybody has pretty much gotten equal reps at every position. There is some good competition going on, and in most cases we have more than one tough guy to do the job at each position. The attitude and effort we see in the kids is what we’re looking for."

For things to turnaround, Cameron is going to need to improve both its offense and defense.

Last year, The Red Raiders scored just 96 points or an average of 10.6 ppg, which was fifth worst mark in the district behind Union, Elk County Catholic, Smethport and Youngsville, while allowing 268 points or 29.8 per game, which was the fourth worst mark in the district in front of only Union, A-C Valley and West Shamokin.

On offense, a three-way battle was shaping up at quarterback between senior Brian Hastings and sophomore Dustin Erskin and John Malize.

Hastings saw very limited action last season going 1-for-4 passing for seven yards, although he lettered on defense.

In the hunt for starting running back spots are Scott Bauer, Steve VonArx, Brian Andrus, Pat Catalano, Cash Grimone, Steve McFall and Nick Malize none of whom had even one carry last season.

Cameron County does return Nathan Fuenffinger at wide receiver. Fuenffinger caught 11 passes for 145 yards last season.