Battle of the Big Cats

By Staff
Mike Self FCT Sports Editor
An already heated rivalry is about to get hotter.
When Phil Campbell visits Red Bay on Friday to renew their annual grudge match, more than just county pride and bragging rights will be at stake.
Now that these two rival schools share occupancy in Class 2A, Region 8, the "Battle of the Big Cats" carries with it serious playoff implications.
The Bobcats (2-5, 2-3 in region play) must defeat Red Bay on Friday and then win at Cherokee next week to remain in the hunt for a postseason berth.
The third-ranked Tigers, meanwhile, can clinch the region championship with a victory over the Bobcats.
You can almost feel the temperature rising.
Red Bay coach Dale Jeffreys expects the Bobcats to be especially motivated when they arrive at Fred Bostick, Jr. Memorial Stadium on Friday.
The Tigers (7-0, 5-0) have gotten the best of their county rivals recently, earning shutout wins over the Bobcats each of the past two years.
Prior to that, Phil Campbell had won four consecutive meetings with Red Bay.
Jeffreys was quick to point out that the Red Bay/Phil Campbell rivalry is not confined to the gridiron.
Another reason the rivalry is so intense is because many of the participants have ties to both schools.
As this year's "Battle of the Big Cats" approaches, here's a look back at the past seven years of the Red Bay/Phil Campbell rivalry.
2003: Red Bay 34 Phil Campbell 0
Kurt Kennedy threw three touchdown passes in the second quarter to spark the Tigers to their second straight shutout win over the Bobcats.
Red Bay held Phil Campbell to 41 total yards and two first downs in the first half, and Tiger tailback Byron Hellums salted away the victory with a pair of second-half touchdown runs, including an 82-yarder. Hellums finished the night with 145 yards on 16 carries.
2002: Red Bay 32 Phil Campbell 0
With unbeaten Red Bay clinging to a 3-0 halftime lead, senior receiver Brent Hellums jumpstarted the Tiger offense with a 63-yard touchdown run on an end-around to open the second half.
The Red Bay defense pressured Bobcat quarterback Jarred Pierce all night, including a sack by Adam Shewbart that resulted in a fumble recovery for a touchdown by Joseph Boyd.
Drew Davis had a 25-yard touchdown pass to former Bobcat Dustin Lawler, and sophomore Kurt Kennedy capped the victory with a 73-yard touchdown run.
2001: Phil Campbell 20 Red Bay 7
Senior quarterback Brett Borden ran for two fourth-quarter touchdowns as the top-ranked Bobcats prevailed in a battle of unbeatens at Parrish Stadium.
Borden also threw a touchdown pass to Dustin Lawler, who transferred the following year to Red Bay.
2000: Phil Campbell 35 Red Bay 28
The Tigers stormed out to a 21-7 halftime lead over the favored Bobcats behind three touchdown passes from Jeremy Forsythe, but Borden rallied Phil Campbell in the second half with two touchdown runs and a scoring pass.
After the Bobcats surged to a 28-21 lead, Red Bay tied the game on Chad Holcombe's 15-yard touchdown run. Borden then broke the tie on a 10-yard run with 2:38 remaining.
1999: Phil Campbell 28 Red Bay 7
Joe Baker ran for a touchdown and also had three of the Bobcats' five interceptions on the night.
Borden threw a pair of touchdown passes to Jonathan Odom and Bo Taff.
1998: Phil Campbell 16 Red Bay 14
The winless Bobcats pulled off the upset, knocking off undefeated Red Bay behind a pair of touchdowns by Jason Hester.
This win was Kiser's first as head coach at Phil Campbell, and it also began a four-year win streak for the Bobcats.
1997: Red Bay 14 Phil Campbell 7
A pair of big plays carried the Tigers to victory in Jeffreys' first season as head coach.
Bryant West threw a 58-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Lindley, and Adam Hester scored on a 65-yard punt return.
The Tigers recovered a fumble with 1:30 remaining to seal the win.