Bobcats running wild with new offense

By Staff
Scot Beard
PHIL CAMPBELL – The Phil Campbell High School football team is experiencing several changes as it prepares for the 2008 season.
The Bobcats will have a new coach who has instilled a new attitude and a new offense.
Phil Campbell, which used a pass-oriented offense last season will be keeping the ball on the ground more this year, and the players are excited.
"We got the big boys up front that want to block and guys that would rather keep it on the ground than worry about catching the ball," said Phil Campbell coach Michael Parker.
It took Parker a little while to get the new system implemented, but the players have caught on and the coach has noticed an improvement.
"They're catching on quick to the new terminology. These past four or five days they have been able to remember a lot," Parker said. "We still have a ways to go, but I pleased with where we are at considering where we came from."
Parker said he was pleased with the players' knowledge of the playbook. He is also pleased that he can call out a number of various formations and the players on the field know where to go without a moment of hesitation.
The other thing that has been a surprise for Parker is the effort he is getting from the younger players.
"We've got a lot of people competing for playing time," Parker said. "The younger guys have come together and are pushing the older guys for spots."
That is the type of results Parker was hoping to get after instituting a grueling off-season workout program to build team unity. Despite all the work, there is still one area Parker is waiting to see improvement.
"They have to learn what it takes to win," Parker said. "If the kids can complete that, they will have conquered the last bit of adversity."