Cameron High School had some unfinished business to take care of and they did it in record fashion. In 2004, they lost 27-26 to Blair Oaks in the Class 2 MSHSAA Show-Me Bowl. This year the Dragons, and their high-octane offense, would not be denied, as Cameron routed Montgomery Co. 64-18, setting a MSHSAA Show-Me Bowl record for scoring by one team. Valle Catholic held the record previously when they beat Wellington Napoleon 63-13 in the 1995 Class 2A championship.
Cameron quarterback Drew Newhart also set a record. His 354 yards passing set a new Show-Me Bowl mark, beating the performance by Nate Minnis of Blue Springs in 1992 by one yard. His favorite target was junior Cody Boyer, who he hit six times for 154 yards and a touchdown. Senior Eric Anderson, who is the state’s all-time leading receiver, caught eight passes for 90 yards and a score.
Newhart’s prowess not only came in the air, but on the ground, as well. He rushed for 86 yards and three touchdowns.
Cameron’s offense was almost unstoppable. They scored on each of their first five possessions and nine of ten for the game.
After holding Montgomery County to a three-and-out in the game’s first possession, the Dragons went to work. They drove 58 yards in nine plays, capping it with a nine-yard run from quarterback Drew Newhart. The extra point from kicker Brad Beckwith was good and Cameron took a 7-0 lead.
Montgomery Co. mounted a short-lived attempt to tie the game on their second possesion. Running back Reggie Ramey fumbled on the sixth play of the drive and Cameron’s Eric Anderson recovered on the Wildcat 46-yard line. Eight plays later junior wide receiver Cody Blair scored on a two yard run. On the previous play, Newhart hit Blair for a 33-yard pass to set up the score.
The Wildcats finally got on the board on their next possession going 80-yards in 17 plays. Ramey scored from two yards out, but the extra point was no good and Montgomery Co. trailed 14-6.
Any momentum Montgomery Co. fans had after the score moved to the other sideline, as Cameron responded with yet another touchdown drive to lead 21-6. The two teams traded touchdowns to end the half—Montgomery Co. scored with four seconds to go in the half and Cameron led 28-18.
That’s as close as it would be the rest of the game. Cameron scored 36 unanswered points in the second half to put it away.
Eric Czerniewski, who is the state’s all-time leading paser passed for 259 yards and a touchdwon for Montgomery County. 238 of those yads came in the first half.
Cameron kicker Brad Beckwith set a state mark with eight extra points.
Cameron finished the season 14-0 on the season and grabbed their first state title. Montgomery Co. was in the Show-Me Bowl for the first time and finished 12-2.
