Tigers top Bobcats, 63-7
By Bart Moss
For the FCT
The ninth-ranked Red Bay Tigers (5-0, 3-0) overwhelmed the Phil Campbell Bobcats (2-3, 1-2) in a key region matchup behind a powerful offensive performance. The Tigers rushed for 302 yards and passed for 202 yards. Quarterback Troy Borden threw three touchdowns in just over a quarter and a half of action.
“We knew this was going to be a tough game,” said Phil Campbell coach Ryan Swinney. “Red Bay has a very good team, and they are going to be hard for anyone to beat. We have to get back to work on Monday and get our heads right and get ready for a Phillips team that has a very good running back and a talented team.”
Red Bay jumped out early and led 25-0 at the end of the first quarter. Tate Ozbirn opened the scoring for Red Bay on a 34-yard touchdown run. Reed Holt then caught the first of his three touchdown passes on a 34-yard pass from Borden for a 12-0 lead. Red Bay’s special teams and defense got in on the scoring. The Tigers blocked a Phil Campbell punt that was recovered by Andrew Ray for another Red Bay touchdown. On the following Bobcat possession, Red Bay’s Austin Milam recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown and a 25-0 lead.
“We did a good job of taking advantage of opportunities in all phases of the game,” said Red Bay coach Michael Jackson. “We got to play some young guys, and that will help our depth in this later part of the season. I thought Phil Campbell played hard, especially without two of their better skilled kids on the field.”
“We need a strong week of practice to get ready for Belmont,” said Jackson. “They are a run first team and will try to control the ball. We need to have another good week of run defense.”
In the second quarter, Borden connected with Holt on touchdown passes of 75 and 17 yards to extend Red Bay’s lead to 37-0. Josh Wilson scored on a 2-yard run for Red Bay, while backup quarterback Colby Bragwell threw a pair of touchdown passes in relief, one to Jesus Kelly and another to Max Bullen.
Aaron Lewey, who led the Red Bay ground game with 128 yards on 19 carries, capped the scoring on a 14-yard run in the fourth quarter.
Phil Campbell’s lone score came on a 2-yard run by Colby Baker in the third quarter. Daniel Smith added the PAT for the Bobcats.
Both teams go out of region play next week. Red Bay will host Belmont, Miss. Phil Campbell will host Phillips.
