Mistakes prove costly for Bobcats

By Bart Moss for the FCT

The Phil Campbell Bobcats couldn’t overcome a sluggish offensive performance and mental mistakes in a 30-0 loss to the Colbert Heights Wildcats Friday night.

Phil Campbell coach Ryan Swinney said he felt like his team played well enough defensively to win the game but couldn’t seem to get going offensively.

“I thought our defense played a very good game,” said Swinney. “Offensively we just kept shooting ourselves in the foot, and you can’t do that against a good team and win.”

The Bobcats turned the ball over on their opening possession of the half and had a punt blocked deep in their own territory that led to Colbert Heights’ only score of the first half.

Phil Campbell quarterback Peyton Thomas got sacked in the end zone in the third quarter for a safety to give the Wildcats a 9-0 lead. Colbert Heights then returned the ensuing kickoff inside the Bobcats’ 10-yard line and eventually scored.

The game seemed to spiral out of control for the Bobcats from there.

“That whole sequence in the third quarter just took the wind out of our sails,” said Swinney. “We got wore down, I think, because our defense was on the field so much.”

The Bobcats found themselves in good field position after recovering a Colbert Heights’ fumbled punt return at the Wildcats’ 45-yard line with 4:18 to go in the first quarter. The drive, however, stalled at the Colbert Heights 27-yard line.

Colbert Heights moved into Bobcat territory on the ensuing drive after a 38-yard completion to Chandler to the Bobcat 31-yard line.

Colbert Heights turned the ball over on the next play on an errant snap. The Bobcats recovered the ball at their own 41-yard line but were unable to take advantage of the turnover.

Colbert Heights went backwards on the next drive because of several penalties. The Wildcats were backed up deep in their own territory facing a 4th and 35 and forcing a punting situation.

The Bobcats returned the punt to the Colbert Heights 28 yard line, but the play was nullified on a penalty, backing the ball up to the 38 yard line. Once again, the Bobcats were unable to take advantage, turning the ball over on downs.

The Bobcats got another chance late in the first half when Hunter Hutcheson recovered another Colbert Heights fumbled snap. The Bobcats got the ball back on the Wildcats 42 yard line with 1:11 to go in the first half. Phil Campbell, however, gave the ball right back to the Wildcats on a fumble with 00:27 to go in the half.

Colbert Heights opened the second half with a big play to get into Phil Campbell territory. Dylan Chandler carried the ball 49 yards to the Bobcat 15-yard line. The Bobcats forced the Wildcats to kick a field goal that was short.

Things began to take a turn for the worse for the Bobcats midway through the third quarter. Bobcat quarterback Thomas was sacked in the end zone, resulting in a safety to give in Colbert Heights a 9-0 lead with 7:52 to go in the third quarter.

The Wildcats took the ensuing Bobcat kickoff 50 yards. Dylan Chandler scored on the next play to give Colbert Heights a 16-0 lead.

Colbert Heights scored again early in the fourth quarter, giving the Wildcats a commanding 23-0 lead and added a final touchdown late in the game.

Thomas completed nine of 23 passes for 105 yards and an interception. Brodie Nix caught two passes for 42 yards. Brandon Baker caught three passes for 32 yards.

Phil Campbell hosts Lamar County Friday night in their first region contest.