Colburn runs wild for Red Bay
Friday night under the stadium lights couldn’t have been scripted any better for the Red Bay Tigers, who kicked off their season in explosive fashion with a 36-20 upset victory over rival Phil Campbell.
Driven by a relentless ground attack, the Tigers made a resounding statement on their home turf.
“I thought our kids played with a lot of heart and toughness tonight,” said Red Bay head coach Tyler Jeffreys, entering his second season at his alma mater. “Phil Campbell has a good team, and to be able to overcome some adversity early in the game was huge for our team. We have a lot of young players that stepped up tonight and played a great game. I’m proud of our kids and our staff.”
From the opening kickoff the night belonged to Red Bay’s breakout star, Davo Colburn. The dynamic back delivered a legendary performance, rushing for 279 yards on just 15 carries, finding the end zone three times.
Colburn set the tone on the Tigers’ very first drive, electrifying the home crowd by breaking loose for a 65-yard sprint to paydirt. A successful two-point conversion put Red Bay ahead early, 8-0.
Phil Campbell refused to go down quietly, answering when Braxton Downey powered into the end zone on a 15-yard touchdown run. However, a failed two-point attempt left the Bobcats trailing 8-6.
The Tigers wasted no time responding. On Red Bay’s next possession, Colburn struck again — this time outrunning the defense for a 67-yard touchdown break, extending the Tigers’ cushion to 14-6 before halftime.
Red Bay seized momentum in the third quarter when Colburn delivered his third highlight reel play of the night, bursting through the line for a 49-yard touchdown dash to make it 22-6.
Phil Campbell showed plenty of fight, mounting a drive that ended with Hayston Scott plunging in from a yard out to cut the deficit to 22-14.
Despite the Bobcats’ efforts to pull close, Red Bay’s young depth and resilient defense slammed the door shut in the fourth quarter to seal the 36-20 opening-night victory on a long run by Cayson Collins, and a touchdown pass from Sawyer Humphries to Collins.
Colburn ended the game with 333 all-purpose yards for Red Bay.
For Phil Campbell, Scott passed for 232 yards and rushed for 69. Austin Elliott, fresh of injury rehab, had seven catches for 179 yards. Braxton Downey had 68 yards on 12 carries.
Other games
Tharptown lost to Cherokee 34-26. Cody McClusky ran for a 45-yard touchdown run and Wyatt Harrell completed a touchdown pass to Colton Wiloughby for 22 yards in the first quarter. Harrell completed a 30-yard touchdown pass to Zach May and Brantley Kelly had a 20-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
McClusky had 18 carries for 166 yards. Harrell completed four of six passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns.
Belgreen lost to Woodville 48-8.
