Despite loss, playoff hopes continue for PCHS

Bobcat Colby Baker busts through tackles for a 47-yard run in PCHS’ match-up with the Sulligent Blue Devils.

By Josh Prewitt for the FCT
The Sulligent Blue Devils came into Parrish Field last Friday and secured the No. 2 seed in the 2A region playoffs, winning 53-22 over the Bobcats.
Phil Campbell failed to clinch a spot in the playoffs last week, but hopes still hang in the balance and could be decided in this week’s Hatton versus Cherokee game. If Hatton wins, Phil Campbell will secure a No. 4 seed. If Cherokee wins, there will be a three-way tie among Cherokee, Phil Campbell and Hatton. It will be determined on head-to-head wins and tie breakers which two teams are guaranteed a spot in the playoffs.
“We got whipped tonight,” Bobcats Head Coach Ryan Swinney said after the tough region loss to Sulligent.
Phil Campbell had a great first drive after big plays from WR/CB Austin Riner, who caught an 11-yard pass from QB Peyton Thomas, after which the Bobcats followed up with an explosive 47-yard run play from RB/DE Colby Baker as he busted and bulldozed his way to Sulligent’s five-yard line. Then RB/OLB Tristan Godsey finished the big drive, punching it in for the 7-0 score to go up early in the first with 8:33 left.
The Bobcats looked good early, but after constant pressure from the Blue Devils, Phil Campbell couldn’t get anything going consistently on both sides of the ball.
“We couldn’t stop their running game all night,” Swinney said. “Their offensive line was just better than us and moved us around at will.”
The Sulligent Blue Devils answered back on their first possession with a touchdown run by Caleb Williams.
“We couldn’t block them up front,” Swinney said. “Their defense stuffed our run game and forced it to where we had to pass to move the ball and score.”
The Blue Devils outscored Phil Campbell 29 points after they scored on their first drive of the game.
Right before the half, the Bobcats got a big spark as quarterback Peyton Thomas went on a hot streak, completing six straight passes and a drive that ended with a big 29-yard pass to Austin Riner, who found his way into the end zone for a touchdown.
“We put ourselves in the hole the first half with a few missed drives and conversions,” Swinney said at half time.
The Blue Devils didn’t let up, outscoring the Bobcats 24-8 in the second half, pushing their lead to 53-15.
Despite a late score from the Bobcats as Thomas hooked up with WR Daniel Smith for a 28-yard touchdown, Sulligent would go on for a dominating region win over Phil Campbell 53-22.
The Bobcats have a bye week before they face the Hackleburg Panthers Oct. 29. “They’re another athletic team,” Swinney said. “They have a lot of speed and block at the attack very well. I think we have a good chance … Last year we fought for a half until they took off. We just need to get better during our bye week before we play them.”
Baker finished the game with game high 64 yards for the Bobcats on 10 carries, and Godsey had 16 yards on nine attempts for a touchdown. Peyton Thomas finished his night completing 19-31 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns. Riner also added 68 yards, receiving on four catches for one touchdown.