After a two-week layoff, it wasn't the most exciting win for the Phil Campbell Bobcats, but they did their job on Homecoming with a 28-0 victory over Carbon Hill.
The victory improved Coach Kevin Barnwell's team to 4-1 (1-1 in 3A, Region 8), with a home game next Friday night against Lauderdale County.
Phil Campbell totaled 423 yards of offense, compared to Carbon Hill's 228. The Bobcats' balanced attack totaled 222 yards rushing and 201 yards passing.
“That was by design tonight,” Barnwell said. “We tried to be balanced so we're not so one-dimensional. Sometimes, we're not very good at the things we try. We have an offensive identity, but we're trying for more balance and searching for some different things we can do here or there.”
And once again, the Phil Campbell defense had a good night, forcing four Carbon Hill turnovers (three fumbles and one interception). Sage Raper's nine tackles led the way defensively, with Cole Pace and Mason Weeks each credited with seven tackles. Three of Weeks' tackles were for losses. Robbie Robinson had the Bobcats' interception.
“Our defense played pretty well,” Barnwell said. “(Carbon Hill) did a good job with their game plan, trying to milk the clock out of the I-formation with a wing and they did a good job keeping the ball away from us. With four minutes left in the third quarter, we had run only one second half play.”
Phil Campbell scored :19 seconds into the game, when quarterback Kyle Pace hit Jacob Barnwell for a 34-yard touchdown. Bryant Hyde's two-point run made it 8-0 before most fans settled into their seats.
The Bobcats looked to have their second touchdown of the first quarter with 1:08 remaining, as Pace connected with Sage Raper on a 94-yard TD pass. But an illegal block penalty erased the big play and the quarter ended 8-0.
It didn't take long for Phil Campbell to find the end zone again, though. Gage Baker's three-yard run made it 14-0. The two-point try failed and that score held up until halftime.
In a game that looked to be shaping up as an early blowout, the story took a different turn as a result of Phil Campbell mistakes. Those mistakes included three Bobcat turnovers and 11 penalties for 120 yards.
“We were just flat at times and ultimately, it's my job to be better and put us in a situation where we're not flat and we're more prepared to play,” Barnwell said. “Our kids played hard, but we'd have a penalty here, or a fumble there. It wasn't just one person. It was a collective effort and we weren't effective tonight.
“Those things have to get corrected. We've got to fix the penalties, fumbles, bobbled snaps. Those things aren't occurring in practice, but they're showing up on Friday night,” he added.
Carbon Hill ran 61 offensive plays for 228 total yards, an average of 3.7 yards per play. Compare that to Phil Campbell's 423 yards on only 40 offensive plays, for an impressive average of 10.6 yards per play.
Pace finished 6-8 for 201 yards and four touchdown passes. Pace hit Raper for a five-yard TD pass and Robinson for a 33-yard score in the fourth quarter to complete the scoring at 28-0.
The Phil Campbell defense held Carbon Hill quarterback Cameron DeJesus to 60 yards on four completions.
Noah Raper's 13 rushes for 146 yards led the Bobcat ground game. Sage Raper carried four times for 38 yards and Braxton Mayfield totaled 25 yards on two carries.
Madison Branch also had a good night for the Bobcats, as she was crowned the school's 2022 Homecoming Queen.
Phil Campbell's next opponent, Lauderdale County High School, lost 14-13 Friday night to Lexington. The Tigers' loss dropped their record to 4-2, but they are 3-0 in Class 3A Region 8 play, with wins over region foes Clements (49-6), Elkmont (58-0) and Colbert County (29-0).
Running back Jaylon Cade Byrd is averaging 120 yards per game and leads the team with seven touchdowns.
“We have a very good football team coming here next Friday, and I've got to get us more focused for practice and to where we're better prepared to play,” Barnwell said.
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