Panthers head to Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament yet to allow any opponent 40 points

By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor | December 26, 2023
Camp Point Central guard Drew Paben has been part of a stout defense that is allowing just 28 points per game. | Matt Schuckman photo

CAMP POINT, Ill. — Defense is top priority at Camp Point Central, no matter the sport. “We preach it. It’s not just me preaching it,” said James Barnett, the boys basketball coach whose team enters the Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament this week not having allowed an opponent to score 40 points in a game yet this…

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Paben puts finishing touch on Central football team’s second-round playoff victory

By Steve Eighinger | November 5, 2023
Camp Point Central running back Drew Paben, right, stiff-arms a Hardin Calhoun defender during Saturday's Class 1A second-round playoff game in Hardin, Ill. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

HARDIN, Ill. — Drew Paben’s first touchdown run was by design, but his second was more or less an accident. Paben scored twice in the fourth quarter Saturday afternoon to propel Camp Point Central past Hardin Calhoun 32-14 in the second round of the Class 1A state playoffs. Paben’s two touchdowns allowed Central to pull…

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Rally for the ages: Central’s 24-point second half vaults Panthers into Class 1A state semifinals

By Steve Eighinger | November 13, 2022
Central's Carter Eyler, left, and Isaac Genenbacher, right, run toward teammate Drew Paben, center, to celebrate his touchdown that punctuated Saturday's 24-12 victory over Greenfield-Northwestern in the Class 1A state quarterfinals. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

CAMP POINT, Ill. — Central quarterback Nick Moore’s post-game assessment was rather poignant. And precise. “The first half was kind of rough,” Moore said in matter-of-fact fashion. Yep, pretty much much nailed it, Nick. Fortunately, there are two halves in a high school football game. The margin of Central’s 24-12 Class 1A quarterfinal playoff victory…

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