Phil Campbell ends lengthy skid, Culver gets first win

By Staff
Scot Beard
PHIL CAMPBELL – It was a glimpse of the past and the future at Phil Campbell Friday night as the Bobcats defeated Vina 24-8 for their first win of the season.
Many former students showed up for the homecoming festivities and watched eighth grader Dalton Hamby come up with two big defensive plays to help earn the win – the first career head-coaching victory for Bo Culver.
Vina (1-4, 1-3) drove to the Bobcat 5-yard line on its first possession, but fumbled and Phil Campbell recovered to end the drive.
The Bobcats (1-4, 0-3) moved to their 28, but penalties drove them back to their own 7-yard line and were forced to punt. An interception by Jeff White ended the threat, but nine plays later White was intercepted by Ethan Hammock, who returned the ball 52-yards for the Red Devils only touchdown of the game. Morgan McCarley scored on the 2-point conversion to put Vina ahead 8-0.
Phil Campbell drove to the Vina 7-yard line late in the second quarter, but fumbled and Vina recovered to regain possession.
On the next play McCarley fumbled and Hamby fell on the ball in the end zone for a Bobcat touchdown. The 2-point conversion failed.
"It started with the D-line putting pressure on the quarterback and causing him to fumble," Hamby said. "I saw the ball and I jumped on it."
The play came with 2:44 remaining in the half and sparked some much-needed momentum for the Bobcats, who came out and played the second half with more intensity than they showed in the first half.
Phil Campbell abandoned its pass-based defense in favor of a running attack to take advantage of the messy conditions. The Bobcats struggled to move the ball with consistency in the first half, but had a solid ground attack after halftime.
"That was our strategy the entire game," Culver said. "(The players) up front would not get after it in the first half."
Phil Campbell took the second half kickoff and began a drive that lasted more than seven minutes. It ended with a 3-yard touchdown run by Dillan Hamby. The 2-point conversion play failed, but the Bobcats had a lead they would not surrender for the rest of the evening.
Vina's ensuing possession ended after only three plays. Phil Campbell's Seth Brown recovered a fumble on the Vina 26-yard line to give the Bobcats excellent field position.
The Phil Campbell offense capitalized on the gift by completing a five-play drive when White rushed for an 8-yard touchdown run to increase the Bobcat lead to 18-8.
Vina had difficulty moving the ball on its next possession and was forced to punt. Phil Campbell's drive ended when McCarley intercepted a pass for the Red Devils.
Vina could not take advantage, however, as Dalton Hamby came up with his second big defensive play moments later when he intercepted a pass at the Vina 24-yard line.
"I saw him roll out. It was wet and he threw it off his man," Dalton Hamby said. "I jumped on it."
Two plays later, Phil Campbell's Craig Saint padded the lead with a 19-yard touchdown run.
The fact Hamby made two big plays as an eighth grader is impressive. When you factor in what he has gone through this week it is incredible.
"He was diagnosed with Type-A flu Monday and was sent home," Culver said. "He didn't practice all week and he was cleared to play today."
Hamby said he was feeling good after the game, but noticed he was struggling a little in the first half due to the lack of practice.
White led the Bobcats with 101 rushing yards. He also completed 4-of-9 passes for 19 yards.
Craig Saint had 47 yards rushing led all Bobcat receivers with 12 yards.
Phil Campbell recorded 224 yards of total offense. Vina had 116 yards of offense.
McCarley led the way with 50 rushing yards on 18 attempts. He also completed 1-of-6 passes for 38 yards and threw a pair of interceptions.
Brent Townsend rushed for 25 yards and had the only reception of the game for Vina, a 38-yard catch.
Phil Campbell travels to Red Bay next week as the Bobcats resume their area schedule. The game begins at 7 p.m.
Vina returns home for its final region game of the season as the Red Devils host Waterloo. The game begins at 7 p.m.