Bobcats take down Indians
By Brannon King for the FCT
The Phil Campbell Bobcats used a strong effort on defense to hold down the Cherokee Indians and claim a 19-8 win on the road in a key Class 2A Region 8 game Friday night.
The Bobcats (4-4, 3-2) started slowly on offense and were behind 8-0 at the half to the Indians (3-4, 1-3) but picked up the pace in the second half, and it paid off.
“Defensively, we played great. Offensively, we just struggled getting things started,” Phil Campbell head coach Ryan Swinney said. “We started speeding things up, no huddling a little bit, and I think that got us jump-started.”
Swinney added, “That last touchdown, we just kept running powers and stuff like that, and we were able to move the ball, get some first downs, run the clock and get that score.”
Cherokee’s star senior back, Davontia Johnson, found the end zone on the Indians’ first offensive play from scrimmage on a 35-yard run by twisting and turning his way down the field past Phil Campbell defenders. The extra point try that followed was an adventure. A mishandled snap on the kick attempt led to Jesus Padron throwing the ball into the end zone, and Donald Powell caught the pass, which was deflected, to make the score 8-0.
Phil Campbell’s next drive in the rainy first quarter would end on a fumble, and things weren’t looking great for the Bobcats. Colby Baker and Malique Nalls then stepped up big for PCHS, combining on a sack to help set the tone on defense.
Just when it looked like Cherokee would gain momentum, a penalty or a turnover would occur. Cherokee’s Johnson took a Phil Campbell punt all the way to the end zone, but a block-in-the-back penalty cost the Indians the TD. On Phil Campbell’s next possession, Johnson intercepted a Bobcat pass, but two plays later, Grant Masterson recovered a Cherokee fumble.
It was a sign of good things to come for Phil Campbell when Cherokee ran out of time because they were out of time-outs while lining up to attempt a field goal before the half. The half ended with the ball resting on the Phil Campbell 8-yard line and the Bobcats trailing 8-0.
Phil Campbell hurried the pace on offense in the third quarter, and it worked. Quarterback Peyton Thomas and back/receiver Tristan Godsey connected on a 26-yard TD throw and catch to get the Bobcats on the board with 59 seconds to go in the third quarter. Phil Campbell then lined up as though to kick the PAT, trailing 8-6, but Thomas took the snap and looked to pass. The Indians weren’t fooled, and he was sacked on the fake.
The fourth quarter was all Phil Campbell. Godsey, Thomas, Colby Baker and Trey Nalls all pitched in to set up Phil Campbell’s go ahead TD that occurred when Peyton Thomas went into the end zone for a one-yard score with the help of the offensive line. The try for two failed, but the Bobcats led 12-8.
Phil Campbell caught a break when the short kickoff was loose on the ground and up for grabs. The Bobcats managed to recover the free ball to set up their final touchdown drive of the night.
Tristan Godsey took control of the drive, which was aided by a couple of crucial Cherokee penalties, and took the ball into the end zone for a four-yard TD run. Daniel Smith added the extra point to make the score 19-8. Matthew Stancil picked up a sack to help finish off the Indians.
Phil Campbell will look to improve playoff positioning with a win at home this week against Sulligent.
