Phil Campbell Bobcats fall to rival Hackleburg

It was a frustrating end to a frustrating season for Kevin Barnwell and the Phil Campbell Bobcats. After so many close calls in their past three region games and an offense that seemed to find its rhythm, the Bobcats seemed to finally have the upper hand on their Marion County rival, Hackleburg.

But the Bobcats never could find an answer to Panther quarterback Kaleb Moore.

Moore rushed for 159 yards on 35 carries and two touchdowns as Hackleburg downed the Bobcats 22-12 on a rain-soaked field.

Hackleburg also found a way to contain Phil Campbell speedster Trey Leindecker, holding him to 85 yards on 19 carries.

Hackleburg scored first with 5:20 to go in the second quarter on a five-yard run by Moore, who also added the two-point conversion run, to give the Panthers an 8-0 lead. Moore carried the ball 10 of 12 plays of the drive.

Hackleburg increased their lead to 14-0 with 4:37 to go in the third quarter when, after being pinned at their own two-yard line, Moore sprinted 75 yards for his second touchdown on the night.

Phil Campbell first got on the board with 2:23 remaining in the third quarter. Ridge Raper capped off six straight runs with a 14-yard touchdown scamper to cut Hackleburg’s lead to 14-6.

Midway through the fourth quarter, the Bobcats cut the Panther lead to 14-12 after Luke Barnwell capped off a 14-play, 81-yard drive with a four-yard run.

The Bobcats seemed to be headed toward another nail-biting end when they fumbled the ball back to the Panthers.

Hackleburg took advantage of the turnover. Facing a fourth-and-five, Hackleburg called a timeout. Knowing Phil Campbell would be keying on Moore out of the backfield, the quarterback faked like he was going to run up the middle, and the Panthers executed a jump pass over the middle for an 18-yard touchdown to put the game out of reach, 22-12.

Phil Campbell finished the season with a 2-8 record.