Bobcats come up short against Hatton

PCHS lost a key region game Friday versus Hatton, falling 27-13.

By Bart Moss for the FCT

Hatton scored 20 unanswered points in the second half to overcome a 13-7 first half deficit to defeat the Phil Campbell Bobcats 27-13 in a key Class 2A, Region 8 game.

After recovering an onside kick to start the game, Hatton scored five plays later on an 11-yard run by Braxton Fretwell to give the Hornets an early 7-0 lead.

Phil Campbell responded with two straight touchdowns to take the lead.

Quarterback Peyton Thomas hit Tristan Godsey for a 15-yard touchdown strike with 5:59 remaining in the opening quarter. Daniel Smith added the point after attempt to tie the game 7-7.

Phil Campbell took the lead midway through the second quarter when Colby Baker plowed into the endzone from one yard out. The Bobcat led 13-7.

Hatton turned the ball over to Phil Campbell on their next drive, but the Bobcats gave the ball right back to Hatton with a turnover of their own.

Hatton would drive the ball inside the Phil Campbell 10-yard line as time expired.

“I think what turned out to be a big play was when we missed Tristan Godsey, wide open – that would have put us up two scores,” said Phil Campbell coach Ryan Swinney.

The Bobcats suffered a big blow midway through the game, losing Godsey to an apparent concussion.

“Losing Tristan was huge,” said Swinney.  “We couldn’t get any offense going in the second half.”

Hatton tied the game late in the third quarter on a 42-yard run by Fretwell. The Hornets scored two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter to take control of the game; the first was a 14-yard run by Zack York, and the final scoring play was a 52-yard touchdown pass from Zane Streater to York.

“We played well on defense until the fourth quarter,” said Swinney.

Phil Campbell was only able manage 81 yards on the ground and 72 yards in the air.

The Bobcats will travel to county rival Red Bay on Friday night in region matchup.

“Red Bay is very good,” said Swinney. “They are big and physical. It will be a challenge for us.”