by Mike London

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MOUNT ULLA — West Rowan head coach Louis Kraft votes for West senior outside linebacker Camden Moten for the Rowan County Comeback Player of the Year.

“It’s a pretty amazing success story,” Kraft said as the Falcons prepared for their annual showdown with Concord. “He was a guy who missed his entire junior year, didn’t get a single opportunity, and now he’s a guy we can’t play without as a senior. He plays at a very high level.”

Moten is the Falcons’ edge rusher. She’s bulky for the role, weighing nearly 150 pounds, but feisty enough to handle anything that comes her way. He had 14 steals in the South Rowan game.

“I have to say South was my best game,” Moten said. “But there are other good things, too. I’m not the biggest guy, but I’m trying to use my speed and my brain. I’m trying to play the run hard. This is my senior year, so I’m trying to make every game count.”

Moten played two jayvee seasons. He was expected to be a major player as a junior, but his junior season never materialized and there are no redshirt players in high school football.

“I had an issue with my hamstring pulling away from the growth plate,” Moten said. “It took me months before I could actually do anything. It felt good to be back there with my team in the summer. But it is difficult to make up for the lost season. You cannot remove any movie. Nobody knows you.”

The West (4-4, 3-2) expects to advance to the playoffs. If the Falcons do this, Moten will play a key role in their bullpen run.

“His understanding of what we’re trying to accomplish defensively keeps him on the field.” Kraft said. “Coach him once and he gets it, he gets it, and that’s a blessing. He is a definite fighter and a model of consistency. He is never flashy, but he is one of those guys who will be in the right place at the right time.”

Kraft praised Moten’s productivity in the recent 47-14 win over Central Cabarrus, but Moten pushed back on the extra praise.

“We played a good game in every aspect,” Moten said. “Especially our defensive line. They made my job easier.”

Moten’s younger brother, Jalen Moten, is one of the stars of West’s jayvee team and scored three goals in Thursday’s win. Kraft said the family’s youngest brother broke up YFL.

“Camden is proud to be a Falcon, and his commitment to his school, program and teammates never wavered, even when he was injured,” Kraft said. “Athletes come and go every year, but smart players are the ones that are really hard to find. “He was one of the smart ones.”