Tatum Benford/For the FCT Red Bay’s Steven Wood (22) dives into the end zone Friday night, tackled by Phil Campbell’s Jacob Hamilton (12).

By: Bart Moss

For the FCT

RED BAY —If you go to Wikipedia and look up “workhorse” you are likely find Red Bay running back Matt Belue’s picture front and center. Typically, Belue lines up at fullback but you will also find him running the ball from the quarterback position in the Wildcat formation.

Friday night Belue did it all and did it well as the Red Bay Tigers upended their county rival the Phil Campbell Bobcats.

In the first half alone Belue amassed 158 of Red Bay’s 285 total yards and scored three touchdowns.

“Matt’s a tough guy and will do whatever you ask him to do,” said Red Bay coach John Ritter. “But it’s not just Matt. There are ten other guys out there playing just as hard and doing what they are supposed to do.”

Red Bay got their first touchdown on a 5-yard run four minutes into the game. Clay McNatt added the PAT to give the Tigers an early 7-0 lead.

A Phil Campbell interception led to Red Bay’s next touchdown. Out of the Wildcat formation Belue called his own number and scored from five yards out with 5:19 remaining in the first quarter to give the Tigers a 13-0 lead.

Red Bay added another first quarter score with 1:38 remaining on an Austin Childer’s nine-yard run to make the score 20-0.

Belue got back in on the action late in the second quarter with a 14-yard touchdown run. McNatt’s PAT gave the Tigers a 27-0 lead with 4:06 to go in the half.

Red Bay pressure on Phil Campbell punt led to a short kick that was picked up by Austin Childers and returned 20 yards for another Tiger touchdown. McNatt’s PAT with 1:58 remaining in the first half gave Red Bay a 34-0 halftime score.

Phil Campbell opened the second half with an impressive drive to the Red Bay 23-yard line before turning the ball over. The Tigers took advantage of the turnover and Belue carried the load the length of the field before finally scoring from three yard out. McNatt’s PAT gave Red Bay a 41-0 lead with 4:46 to go in the third quarter.

Phil Campbell added a late score with 3:08 to go in the game when Jamie Dorroh hit Dewayne Chaney on a 14-yard touchdown pass to make the score 41-6.