Bobcats fall to Colbert Heights Wildcats
To say the past three weeks have been frustrating for the Phil Campbell Bobcats would be an understatement.
Phil Campbell lost to Lauderdale County and East Lawrence on touchdowns in the waning seconds of the game. Friday night, the Bobcats were in a 14-14 deadlock with Colbert Heights for much of the second half, and while it wasn’t a last-minute touchdown that befell Phil Campbell, the Wildcats did score with just more than five minutes remaining in the game to get a 21-14 win over the Bobcats.
“Very disappointed for our kids,” said Phil Campbell head coach Kevin Barnwell. “We are just at that point where we have to learn how to win. I think we will get there, but we have to do the right things to make it happen. For whatever reason, we just can’t seem to find a way.”
Phil Campbell outpaced Colbert Heights in total offense to the tune of 336 total yards to 232 total yards, but games aren’t won in statistical columns. The Bobcats have been on the verge of having a breakthrough season in their first year in Class 3A, but they just haven’t been able to get over that hump.
“I really hate it for our seniors,” said Barnwell. “They were with me on the first day I got here, and they worked hard and played when it wasn’t cool to play football at Phil Campbell. I hope they know, even though we’ve had a tough season, they have laid the foundation for these younger guys.”
Phil Campbell opened the scoring when Trey Leindecker ran the ball 58 yards for a touchdown. Ridge Raper added the point after to give the Bobcats a 7-0 lead with 8:32 to go in the first quarter.
Colbert Heights tied the game with 9:49 to go in the second quarter on a four-yard touchdown run and scored again with 3:20 to go in the first half to take a 14-7 lead.
Phil Campbell tied the game before halftime when quarterback Luke Barnwell ran the ball into the end zone from 10 yards out. Raper added the point after to make the score 14-14.
Neither team was able to cross the goal line in the third quarter, and it wasn’t until 5:05 to go in the game that Colbert Heights would take the lead for good. Shaw returned a Bobcat punt 56 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.
Luke Barnwell completed 14 of 26 passes for 170 yards and had a rushing touchdown.
Leindecker had 10 carries for 119 yards and a touchdown. Raper had seven catches for 78 yards and added two extra points. Nate Owens had two catches for 70 yards, and Brandon Baker led the way on defense with six tackles.
