Culver: Bobcats can return to winning ways this year
By Staff
Scot Beard
PHIL CAMPBELL – Nobody would blame the Phil Campbell football team if it didn't feel too optimistic about its chances this season.
The team has only won three games since its last playoff berth in 2005 and is playing under its third head coach since 2007.
New coach Bo Culver said the team isn't moping, and he expects the Bobcats to compete in 2009.
"They're extremely hungry and have done everything I have asked," Culver said. "They are ready for (the season) to get here and start playing."
Culver said he has shaken up things at Phil Campbell and the players have to learn a new system, but he is happy with the response he has seen from the players.
He said many of the players are adjusting to new positions on the defensive side of the ball.
"Defense is always a work in progress, but we feel like we can be successful though," Culver said. "Some linebackers are moving to the defensive line, and our down linemen will give the linebackers a chance to flow and play."
He said many of the players have stepped up and are assuming leadership roles to help the Bobcat program transition from a bottom dweller in Class 2A, Region 8 to a playoff contender.
Culver is especially proud of his seniors.
"The guys have made sacrifices, but there is still work to do. We are going to do it the right way," Culver said. "The seniors do as good a job as you could ask them to do."
Seth Brown has taken the biggest leadership role, but Culver said many of the other seniors play key roles on the team.
Matt Waid is the high-energy player that pumps up his teammates while Dylan Kastberg does anything the coaching staff asks of him.
Dillan Hamby, who has suffered a string of injuries in recent years, is thankful to be back on the field and playing with inspiration while Jeff White has put in an impressive performance so far during the fall practices.
Culver said he is happy with the effort he has seen from the team and believes this could be the year Phil Campbell turns the program around.
"Give me a hungry bunch and we can do good things with them," Culver said. "I feel like we've got a chance to compete week in and week out."
