County teams get 3 preseason wins
Franklin County football teams are building momentum heading into the regular season after a strong showing in preseason games. Phil Campbell, Tharptown and Red Bay all secured decisive wins, providing a huge confidence boost while also giving their coaches a chance to finetune their strategies and correct mistakes.
Phil Campbell dominated Colbert Heights, 36-6, with a stingy defense and a multipronged offensive threat. The Tharptown Wildcats showed their offensive firepower with a 42-20 victory over Cherokee. Meanwhile, the Red Bay Tigers handled Carbon Hill, winning 35-13.
These wins, while not counting in the official record, are a testament to the hard work put in during the summer.
Austin Elliott reaches for a pass.
Phil Campbell
The Phil Campbell Bobcats put on a dominant display against Colbert Heights, winning 36-6. While Colbert Heights managed to score on its opening drive, the Bobcats quickly responded and never looked back, scoring 36 unanswered points.
The scoring and statistical highlights for Phil Campbell included:
• 50-yard touchdown run by Hayston Scott.
• series of runs by Braxton Downey that led to another score.
An interception by Chandler Benford that set up another Bobcats touchdown.
• 33-yard touchdown run by Hayston Scott, with a two-point conversion to Benford.
• 35-yard pass from Scott to Austin Elliott, An 18-yard run by Logan Cooper, Scott rushed the ball 11 times for 172 yards and two touchdowns, Downey ran the ball nine times for 129 yards and touchdown, Phil Campell opens the regular season on Aug. 29 at Hamilton.
Braxton Downey carries the ball for Phil Campbell.
Tharptown
The Tharptown Wildcats got off to a great start under new coach Brian White. Tharptown beat Cherokee, 42-20.
The Wildcats led 12-0 at the end of the first quarter and 18-8 at the end of the first half. Cherokee battled back in the third quarter to take a 20-18 lead, but Tharptown clamped down in the fourth quarter, scoring 16 unanswered points.
The scoring highlights for Tharptown included:
• 40-yard run by Cody McClusky.
• 33-yard pass from Wyatt Harrell to McCluskey.
• 29-yard run by Anthony Bonilla.
• 6-yard run by Harrell, which was preceded by a 26-yard run by McCluskey.
• 5-yard run by Brian Juan.
• 10-yard run by Jessie Jones.
Tharptown will host Danville on Aug. 22 to open the season.
Red Bay
The Red Bay Tigers hosted Carbon Hill and got the Tyler Jeffreys era off to a great start, winning 35-13.
The scoring and statistical highlights for Red Bay included:
• Jaxson Vinson 5-yard run.
• Joshua Thorn 10-yard run.
• Jaxson Vinson 55-yard run.
• Jeremiah Thorn 13-yard pass to Davian Colburn.
• Joshua Thorn 1-yard run.
Vinson had 19 carries for 200 yards and two touchdowns.
Thorn was 5-for-9 passing for 97 yards and a touchdown.
Thorn had five carries for 27 yards and two touchdowns.
Colburn had three catches for 57 yards.
Red Bay will host Lamar County on Aug. 29 to open the season.
Vina will open the season Aug. 29 on the road at Brindlee Mountain. Belgreen will open the season Aug. 22 at Shoals Christian.
