Bobcats coming off first win, Tigers off first loss

By Staff
Scot Beard
RED BAY – Phil Campbell and Red Bay are two teams experiencing different emotions as they prepare for Friday's Class 2A, Region 8 game against each other.
The Bobcats are enjoying the thrill of their first victory of the season. The Tigers are licking their wounds following their first loss of the year.
Both teams need to win this game to remain in the hunt for a playoff berth.
Red Bay is 4-1 overall and 3-0 in region play. Phil Campbell is 1-4 overall and 0-3 in region play.
Phil Campbell's region opponents so far have a combined overall record of 10-5, while Red Bay's region opponents are 5-10 overall. Red Bay will play the tougher teams in the second half while Phil Campbell will get the easier teams.
Red Bay needs this win to keep pace with Lexington and Tanner for the region title.
Phil Campbell needs the win to keep pace with Clements, Hatton, Cherokee and Westminster Christian Academy for the final playoff spots.
The Bobcats' offense is averaging 16.8 points per game while the stingy defense of the Tigers is allowing only 15.2 points per game.
The biggest key to the game is how well the Phil Campbell defense can stop the Red Bay rushing attack. The Tigers have used strong rushing performances from quarterback Hunter Childers and a stable of running backs to pile up wins.
The Phil Campbell defense has improved throughout the season. After allowing 35 points in the first week, the Bobcats have given up 56 points, 42 points, 27 points and eight points.
The Tigers are also trending down on offense. They scored 34 points the opening week, 38 points the next week followed by 33 points, 21 points and six points.
This will be the homecoming game for Red Bay. The game begins at 7 p.m.