Hackleburg defeats rival Phil Campbell
J.R. Tidwell/FCT Phil Campbell junior defensive lineman Colton Baker (52) pursues Hackleburg’s Dylan Gallaway (13) Thursday night.
PHIL CAMPBELL — The Phil Campbell Bobcats’ 2012 season came to a close with a 35-13 loss at the hands of rival Hackleburg.
The Panthers have amassed a 9-1 record this season, with their only loss coming against Marion County in week one.
The Bobcats gave Hackleburg a run for their money in the first half and early on in the second, and the 35-13 outcome was a close game for Hackleburg given their record and score lines this season.
Things looked good for Phil Campbell just one minute into the game when senior wide receiver Jamie Dorroh made a 58-yard run around the left end for a touchdown.
Dorroh hit the sideline and his speed carried him into the end zone. Senior running back Craig Saint made the PAT, and the Bobcats had an early 7-0 lead.
The Panthers drove the field on the ensuing drive, but the Bobcats’ defense did not give up any yardage lightly.
Hackleburg had to work for every yard, but Phil Campbell was unable to prevent the high-powered Panther offense from scoring in the long run.
Hackleburg scored on a 5-yard touchdown run with 4:22 remaining in the first after a long, sustained drive. The point after tied the game at 7-7, and Phil Campbell would not regain the lead on the night.
Neither team produced points for the next eight minutes until Hackleburg crossed the alumni stripe on a 22-yard carry. The Panthers scored a two-point conversion on a run to make it 15-7, gaining their first lead of the night.
The Panthers scored again, this time on a 30-yard run, with 1:53 remaining before halftime.
The Panthers seemed poised to score again before intermission, but an interception by junior Colton Vickery in the end zone prevented another Panther touchdown.
Phil Campbell continued to be stingy on defense, but Hackleburg continued to score by utilizing long sustained drives.
By the 1:38 mark of the third quarter the Panthers enjoyed a 35-7 lead. Phil Campbell recovered a fumble after a bad snap on a punt on the Hackleburg 4-yard line, but penalties and the Panther defense prevented the Bobcats from adding points to their tally.
Phil Campbell continued to fight until the end of the game, scoring its last touchdown on a 15-yard touchdown run by sophomore quarterback Jacob Hamilton with just three seconds left in the game.
Phil Campbell closes out the 2012 season with a record of 2-8, matching the 2011 win/loss mark.
