Bobcats shut out Bears to start 2021
The Phil Campbell Bobcats overcame a sluggish start and horrendous field conditions to race past Phillips 27-0.
The matchup was originally scheduled for Friday but moved to Thursday to avoid possible rain. The move backfired when approximately 6 inches of rain fell in the Phil Campbell area in three hours before the scheduled kickoff.
With the field practically underwater, the game had to be moved back to Friday night.
“I felt like we played well except for some early plays,” said Phil Campbell Coach Kevin Barnwell. “You can’t turn the ball over in the red zone. We have to correct that.
“I thought we might have been flat,” Barnwell added. “Even still, the first possession sets the tone. We drove the ball the length of the field but turned the ball over. We have to capitalize on our opportunities.”
Phil Campbell had to overcome four turnovers to get the win.
The Bobcats finally broke through with 9:20 to go in the second quarter on an 11-yard run by Bryant Hyde to give Phil Campbell a 6-0 lead.
Phil Campbell scored again with 1:27 to go in the first half on a 6-yard pass from Kyle Pace to Blain Goodson to give the Bobcats a 12-0 advantage.
Phillips put the ball in the air to try to generate some first–half offense, but instead the Bobcats’ Braxton Goodson picked off the Bears’ pass to set up another touchdown.
A few plays later, Hyde connected with Andrew Green for a touchdown.
Boone Swinney converted a two-point play to give the Bobcats a 20-0 halftime lead.
Phil Campbell added one more score last in the third quarter on a seven-yard run by Isac Hill. Sage Raper added an extra point to give the Bobcats the 27-0 lead.
Phil Campbell had 319 yards in total offense, with 226 of those coming on the ground.
Hyde had 12 carries for 98 yards and a touchdown. He also completed five-for-eight passes for 87 yards and a touchdown.
Noah Raper carried the ball seven times for 52 yards. Swinney had seven carries for 45 yards.
Phil Campbell will host Lamar County Friday night.
