Bobcats claw past Wildcats for homecoming victory
By Bart Moss for the FCT
The Phil Campbell Bobcats made quick work of the Tharptown Wildcats homecoming night with a 47-13 win.
“It was a good Homecoming win,” said Phil Campbell coach Ryan Swinney. “We were able to make some plays on both sides of the ball tonight. We played hard and with some intensity tonight. We still have some things we need to improve on, but I was proud of our team for getting the win.”
Tray Nalls made the first two scores for the Bobcats with touchdown runs of one yard and five yards. Seth Brindley forced a Tharptown safety to give Phil Campbell a 14-0 first quarter lead.
Colby Baker scored two touchdowns for the Bobcats in the second quarter on runs of 56 yards and four yards. Baker’s final touchdown was set up by a 32-yard reception by Tristan Godsey. It was Godsey’s first game back after suffering a concussion. Phil Campbell led Tharptown 27-0 at halftime.
“Tristan is our leader,” said Swinney. “He provided a big spark for us tonight. He wanted nothing more than to be out there on that field with his teammates for homecoming. Our guys really look up to him, and it showed.”
The Bobcat defense got in on the action to start the second half. Grant Masterson picked up a Tharptown fumble and sprinted 25 yards to the paydirt. Daniel Smith added the point after to give Phil Campbell a 34-0 lead.
Phil Campbell added another touchdown late in the third quarter on a 24-yard pass to Austin Riner.
Tharptown picked up its first score early in the fourth quarter on a 86-yard touchdown run by Mikey Rosson to make the score 41-6.
Phil Campbell responded with a three-yard touchdown run by Matthew Stancil. The touchdown run was preceded by a 52-yard run by Stancil.
Tharptown capped off the scoring with a 33-yard touchdown run by Peyton Price with 1:32 to go in the game.
Phil Campbell will travel to Cherokee this week for a critical region game with the Indians. Tharptown will host Mars Hill for homecoming.
Elizabeth Benford was crowned Phil Campbell’s Homecoming Queen during Friday night’s halftime ceremony.