Week 6 Coach’s Show: Wildcats Look to Respond in Homecoming Matchup
The message from Head Coach Tucker Pruitt was clear during this week’s Camden County Wildcats Coach’s Show: the Wildcats have to respond.
Coming off a tough 48–44 loss to Ed White, Camden returns to Chris Gilman Stadium this Friday for Homecoming against West Broward in the Wildcats’ final non-region game of the season.
Broadcast live from Chris Gilman Stadium during Homecoming festivities, the Week 6 show focused on lessons from last Friday, the challenge ahead and the standard Camden County football expects to uphold.
Learning From the Ed White Loss
Coach Pruitt didn’t shy away from the disappointment of last week’s game.
Despite scoring 44 points, Camden left several opportunities on the field. Pruitt pointed to two red-zone possessions that ended without points as critical moments, including an early opportunity created by an interception.
Defensively, the biggest concern was stopping the run.
Ed White was able to move the football on the ground during two critical late-half drives and converted all six of its two-point conversion attempts by running the football.
For Pruitt, the response starts with the fundamentals.
Camden has placed an emphasis this week on getting off blocks, tackling and playing with the physicality that has long been associated with Wildcats football.
But Pruitt stressed that technique alone isn’t enough.
The Wildcats also need players who are willing to play physical, tackle and take pride in how they perform.
“We’ve Got to Start Playing With Some Pride”
With Region 1-7A competition approaching, Pruitt emphasized that Camden cannot afford to leave weaknesses uncorrected.
Opposing teams will see the film. If Camden doesn’t fix the problems that showed up against Ed White, future opponents will continue attacking them.
“Nobody’s coming to help us. We’ve got to be intentional about it, and it’s got to mean something to us. We’ve got to start playing with some pride.”
The Wildcats will have a bye following Friday’s game before beginning region play at Lowndes.
Pruitt said the break will provide an opportunity to get several injured players healthier, build additional depth and continue evaluating who is ready to contribute as the level of competition increases.
The immediate goal, however, is West Broward.
A victory Friday would allow Camden to close the non-region portion of the schedule at 4–2.
West Broward Brings Another Challenge
West Broward arrives at Chris Gilman Stadium with championship experience.
Pruitt noted that the program was a state runner-up last season in Florida’s next-to-highest classification and described its offense as balanced and creative.
West Broward can run and throw the football, and its quarterback recently returned after missing time with an injury.
Defensively, Camden will see a four-man front with plenty of pressure, blitzing and man coverage — some of the same concepts the Wildcats saw against Ed White.
But Pruitt said Camden’s biggest concern isn’t necessarily West Broward.
It’s Camden.
Unless the Wildcats correct the mistakes from last week, the opponent on the other sideline won’t matter.
Homecoming Takes Over Wildcat Nation
Football is only part of a busy Homecoming week in Camden County.
The Coach’s Show was held live from Chris Gilman Stadium as the Powderpuff game helped kick off the week’s festivities.
The Homecoming Parade is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m., starting at the First Baptist parking lot and traveling to the lawn, where the Homecoming bonfire will be held. More than 30 floats are expected to participate.
Then all attention turns back to Chris Gilman Stadium Friday night.
Camden County vs. West Broward
Homecoming Night
Chris Gilman Stadium
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Homecoming court activities are expected to take place during halftime.
Because of the Homecoming festivities, the Camden County band will perform its full show after the football game, and fans are encouraged to remain in the stadium and support the students.
The band is also preparing for its first competition on October 3 and plans another community performance during Camden’s upcoming football bye week.
Queen of Hearts Keeps Growing
The weekly Queen of Hearts drawing also continued during the show with the jackpot reaching $13,712.
Ticket No. 8447 belonging to Sarah June Thomas was selected. She chose card position No. 7, revealing the 7 of Clubs and earning a $50 prize.
The Queen of Hearts remains hidden, meaning the jackpot continues to grow.
Proceeds from the Queen of Hearts fundraiser support Camden County Wildcats Football.
One Community. One Team. One Wildcat Nation.
The show also highlighted the continued support surrounding the entire Camden County program.
The band was recognized for preparing snacks for football players, while the cheer program and other organizations continue contributing throughout Homecoming week.
Fans were also reminded to check out the expanding Wildcats website, where hundreds of photos from the first several weeks of the season are now available. Additional video highlights are also being added.
Now the focus turns to Friday night.
After a difficult loss, Camden gets another opportunity to respond — at home, on Homecoming, in front of Wildcat Nation.
Pack Chris Gilman Stadium. Bring the noise. Stay for the band. And let’s get behind the Wildcats.
Go Cats!
