Tigers roll past Bobcats for region title
PHIL CAMPBELL — With a region title on the line Red Bay wasted little time taking control of its game against cross-county rival Phil Campbell Friday night, cruising to a 41-19 victory.
The Tigers (8-0, 6-0) drove 80 yards on their opening drive and scored on a 56-yard run by Matt Belue. The Red Bay defense then forced a Phil Campbell punt, and once again the Tigers put together a quick scoring drive capped off with a 4-yard touchdown run by Steven Wood to seize control of the game.
Phil Campbell (2-6, 1-5) had an opportunity later in the first quarter to cut into the lead when the Bobcats recovered a Red Bay fumble. The Bobcats were unable to capitalize, and the Tigers extended their lead when Hunter Childers hit Belue for a 19-yard touchdown pass.
Belue scored his third touchdown of the night when he dashed in for a 14-yard scoring run to put Red Bay ahead 27-0 in the second quarter.
Matt Senkbeil scored on a 26-yard run later in the first half to give the Tigers a comfortable 34-0 advantage at halftime.
Red Bay coach Dale Jeffreys elected to remove most of his starters for the second half, and Phil Campbell was finally able to find some offensive rhythm.
The Bobcats took the opening drive of the second half 76 yards and prevented the shutout when Jacob Hamilton hit Jamie Dorroh for a 32-yard touchdown pass.
Red Bay was unable to recover the ensuing kickoff and Phil Campbell gained control of the ball at the Tiger 29-yard line.
The Bobcats took advantage of the good field position and scored six plays later when Dorroh rushed into the end zone from seven yards out to cut Red Bay’s lead to 34-13.
Red Bay’s lone second-half touchdown came when Tyler Jeffreys hit Nick Thorn on an 8-yard pass.
Hamilton rounded out the scoring for the Bobcats with a 9-yard run in the fourth quarter.
With the win Red Bay clinches its first region title since the 2007 season. The Tigers will visit Cherokee next week to conclude region play.
With the loss Phil Campbell recorded its 10th consecutive losing season. The Bobcats will travel to Sulligent next week.
