Phil Campbell falls hard to Westminster Christian

The Phil Campbell Bobcats fumbled away the football on their first drive of the game versus Westminster Christian. After six plays of solid defense, Panther quarterback Ian Thies found a receiver in the back corner of the end zone on a busted coverage for a 46-yard touchdown pass.

That’s the way it would be for much of the night, as Westminster would score 40 consecutive points before the Bobcats could get on the scoreboard late in the fourth quarter.

“They are a very good football team, and they can beat you so many different ways,” said Phil Campbell coach Kevin Barnwell. “They make you pay for mistakes.”

Westminster scored on a 14-yard touchdown pass to make the score 13-0. Then the Panthers ran for a 10-yard and 23-yard touchdown run to rack up a 27-0 halftime lead.

Westminster added two quick second-half scores. The first came on a four-play drive to start the half that ended in a 14-yard touchdown run. Their final score came on a 27-yard pass.

Phil Campbell got on the board with 8:55 to go in the game on a 43-yard run by Trey Leindecker. Ridge Raper added the point after for the Bobcats.

Leindecker was the bright spot for the Bobcats, rushing for 131 yards on 12 carries and tallying 62 return yards.

“I thought our kids played hard,” said Barnwell. “They’ve have earned a lot of respect because they play hard all the time, and they don’t quit.”

Phil Campbell will host Lauderdale County Friday night.