By: Jason Bishop

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

This is the year that the Camden County Wildcat faithful have been pointing to as far the proud program getting back to powerhouse status.

The last few years have been lean in Kingsland and it has shown on the football field.

The Wildcats are coming off of a 3-7 campaign, which included losses to rivals Brunswick High, Glynn Academy, Lowndes, Colquitt, and Tift.

Camden has not won a region game in 2 years and have not made the playoffs in that span. A two-year absence from the playoffs is a huge deal for this storied program when you consider this is a program that won 14 straight region titles, yes 14 straight. Likely, a feat that will never again be accomplished again. Not to mention, 3 state titles in that same time frame.

Second year head coach, Bob Sphire is looking to get Camden back to being at least respectable.

The Wildcats will have the most talent in Kingsland that they have had since their last region championship. This roster will consist of mostly juniors, who are very talented and have taken their lumps in a tough region the last two years.

Camden will open up with three straight home games against West Forsythe, Wren and Locust Grove. All three of these games are winnable and I expect Camden to start undefeated through these first three.

Camden will then hit the road Richmond Hill and Brunswick. I look for Richmond Hill to play a competitive game against Camden but fall in the end. I also look for the Wildcats to beat BHS, as the Pirates will be young and inexperienced. However, look for the Camden/BHS game to be one of the better games of the season.

The Wildcats will return to Chris Gilman Stadium to take on Glynn Academy, who has blown Camden out the last two seasons. This game may be a little closer but the Terrors are loaded and may win a state title. Look for another Red Terror win against Camden.

Next up for Camden will be Colleton County from South Carolina. Camden will have too much depth for the Cougars and Camden will get the W at home.

The Wildcats will begin region play the following three games. Two games on the road against Colquitt and Lowndes in back to back weeks will be tough. Camden needs to split these two games.

I like Camden to take down Tift at home in the season finale and get back into the playoffs for the first time in a couple of years.

Prediction: 8-2.