By Mike London

mike.london@salisburypost.com

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

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

Moten is a boundary backer for the Falcons. He is undersized for the role at 150 pounds or so, but feisty enough to handle whatever comes his way. He made 14 tackles in the South Rowan game.

“I’d have to say South was my best game,” Moten said. “But there have some other good ones. I’m not the biggest guy, but I try to use my speed and my brain. I try to play the run hard. It’s my senior year, so I try to make every game count.”

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

“I had an issue where my hamstring was pulling away from the growth plate,” Moten said. “It was months before I could really do anything. It felt good getting back out there with my team during the summer. but it’s hard to make up for that lost season. You don’t get any film out. No one knows about you.”

West (4-4, 3-2) expects to make the playoffs. If the Falcons do, Moten will play a major role in their stretch run.

“His understanding of what we are trying to accomplish defensively keeps him on the field.” Kraft said. “Coach him up one time and he gets it, he understands it, and that’s a blessing. He’s a sure tackler and a model of consistency. He’s never flashy, but he’s one of those guys who is going to be in the right spot at the right time.”

Kraft praised Moten’s productivity during the recent 47-14 win against Central Cabarrus, but Moten deflected any extra credit.

“We played a good game all around,” Moten said. “Especially our defensive line. They made my job easy.”

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

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