CAM Cougar football will be back next week and they’re ready to top the (10-1) 2023 season which ended in a 26-16 loss to Bishop Garrigan in the 8-player quarterfinals. To improve from last year’s respectable efforts, CAM head coach Barry Bower wants his players to keep their focus on character and respecting one another. Coach Bower believes that the way his team interacts, will be a good gauge for how the year will play out.

The Cougars have a strong supply of seniors returning to help bolster intensity on both sides of the ball. Players like senior Chase Jahde who recorded 33.5 tackles and 11 tackles for a loss in 2023. Also, senior Kegan Croghan with 54 tackles and 2 sacks. Both players will be relied on to help guide the CAM team.

One major change for coach Bower and the Cougar football season will be the absence of senior quarterback Chase Spieker. Spieker threw for over 1600 yards and 26 touchdowns a year ago, before he was injured in postseason baseball a few months ago. Most coaches would be sweating without their predicted starting quarterback, but coach Bower has faith in senior Makade Paulsen who had 154 rushing yards in 14 carries last season.

Coming up for the Cougars is a scrimmage on Friday August 23rd at Lenox. The Tigers were also knocked out of the playoffs back in 2023 in the quarterfinals against the (12-1) Bedford Bulldogs. Coach Bower is hoping the scrimmage will help shake off summer rust for his squad.

CAM’s scrimmage against Lenox will not be the only matchup that coach Bower is looking forward to. The Cougars are hosting the Audubon Wheelers on August 30th and coach Bower sees these next two weeks as a way to refine his team.

KJAN will bring you the coverage of August 30th contest between CAM and Audubon starting at 6:30pm.