A Look Ahead: PC preps for Homecoming
By Bart Moss / For the FCT
Phil Campbell and Vina will be stepping out of region play this week as the Bobcats host the Red Devils for Homecoming. Red Bay also steps out of region play to travel across the state line and face rival Belmont.
Both Russellville and Tharptown stay in region play this week. Russellville will go to West Point, while Tharptown will host winless Tanner.
Phil Campbell (1-2) hosts Vina (0-4)
The Phil Campbell Bobcats are coming off their first win of the Kevin Barnwell era. The Bobcats scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns and stymied the Clements offense the entire second half Friday to get the win. The lone touchdown the Bobcats gave up to the Colts came after a costly turnover.
Phil Campbell will play Vina for the first time in several years. Vina is struggling in the early part of the season and will be the Bobcats’ Homecoming matchup.
“This week, and every week, we plan to focus on ourselves and our own improvement,” said Phil Campbell coach Kevin Barnwell. “We need to focus on the things we can control.”
The Vina Red Devils have struggled to put points on the board this year. They have been shut out in three of their four games, and they are catching a Phil Campbell team with renewed sense of confidence coming off the come-from-behind win at Clements.
“Phil Campbell has good speed and likes to spread you out,” said Vina coach Jason Harris. “We have to do a better job of tackling in space. They are improving each week and playing much better.”
Red Bay (3-1) at Belmont, Miss. (1-3)
The Red Bay Tigers started the season with three straight wins but took their first loss at Addison last week. This week Red Bay will travel across the state line to Belmont to take on the Cardinals. This longtime rivalry never disappoints.
“This is a great rivalry game for both communities, and we expect a big crowd,” said Red Bay coach Michael Jackson. “The last few games have been really close. They have a lot of size and a really good three-year starting running back we are going to have to tackle.”
Russellville (3-0) at West Point (2-2)
The Russellville Golden Tigers will travel to West Point this week. The Warriors opened the season with two straight wins over Fairview and Arab but have lost their last two – to Hamilton 48-42 and Lawrence County 43-7.
The Golden Tigers are trying to remain unbeaten, averaging 37.3 points per game and giving up 20 points per game. The past two games, however, Russellville has given up just 13 points in each game.
“West Point is huge up front on both sides of the ball,” said Russellville coach John Ritter. “They run a spread offense and a 4-2-5 defense. They are very big and physical. They are good at running the football and stopping the run.”
Tharptown (1-2) hosts Tanner (0-4)
After winning their opener, the Tharptown Wildcats struggled against Sheffield and Colbert County. The task doesn’t get much easier this week, as the Wildcats host the Tanner Rattlers.
Tanner is a traditional football power, but the Rattlers have struggled this year after losing one of their better players, who transferred. The Rattlers are averaging 10 points per game and giving up 38 points per game.
“I’m proud of the way our team has stood up to adversity,” said Tharptown coach Kevin Lacey. “This is a tough stretch, no doubt about it. Tanner is always very athletic and very fast. We don’t expect anything less from them this week.”
