Commitment to defense paying off for Phil Campbell Bobcats

Over the course of the 2020 season, one thing was apparent for the Phil Campbell Bobcats football program: they could score with just about anyone.

During their season which included a playoff run, the Bobcats eclipsed the 30-point threshold three times while setting a school record for points in a game with 62 in a win over Elkmont.

However, the one pitfall for the Bobcats in 2020 was the defense as they allowed 30 or more points five times over the course of the season.

And while the offense is still talented enough to hold their own despite losing a ton of veteran talent last season, there is more of a focus on the defensive side of things for head coach Kevin Barnwell and his squad here in 2021.

Finding a team that’s had a better defensive start to their 2021 season than the Phil Campbell Bobcats would be quite taxing.

Through three games, the Bobcats have allowed just 15 points total and boast a 2-1 record headed into this Friday night’s matchup against Clements.

“I feel like we’re at this point for a reason because we’ve made a commitment to get better on the defensive side of the ball and it’s showing for us,” Barnwell said.

What’s to credit for the sudden change for the Bobcats on defense?

Barnwell says it’s a mixture of good coaching and good players buying into a process.

“We’ve got a very good buy-in on that side of the football.  Last year we felt like offensively we did enough but we didn’t go all-in on the defensive side,” Barnwell said.  “Trevor Allison has come along in coaching our defensive line and the d-line is playing really well.  And of course I think that David Palmer is one of the best defensive minds around and he does so much to help us and so does coach Gilbert.  We’re all on the same page and our kids are getting coached every single play.”

The Bobcat defense against elkmont limited the Red Devils to just 128 yards of total offense while picking off four passes and forcing two fumbles on the night as well.

In a game against Lamar County the week before the Bobcats’ matchup against Elkmont, the offense was unable to find its footing and as a consequence the Bobcats were held scoreless.

That scoreless streak of four quarters didn’t hold over from week-to-week.

On the road for the first time this season, it took the Bobcats less than three minutes to jump on the board as Bryant Hyde broke away for a 38-yard touchdown run to kickoff what was an extremely productive offensive showing for the Bobcats.

“We made the commitment to distribute the ball to our playmakers because last week I didn’t do a great job of making that happen against Lamar County. And we did a much better job of that this week,” Barnwell said.  “And that was ultimately the difference from last week to this week.  You get the ball into those guys’ hands that are going to make plays for you and that’s what we were able to do.”

The Hyde touchdown run was the first of many scores for the Bobcats, to the tune of 41 unanswered points before Elkmont was able to get on the board with their only score late in the third quarter.

An impressive offensive showing that saw the Bobcats amass more than 500 yards of total offense and 24 first downs also saw five different Bobcats find the endzone en route to a 55-8 victory to kick off their region slate.

Allowing just eight points in their first region matchup of the year points to encouraging signs for both Bobcat coaches and fans alike as Phil Campbell will have their first significant region test this Friday night against Clements.

“Clements has played some really good teams in West Limestone and Lauderdale County and they made a deep playoff run last season so they’re a good program,” Barnwell said.  “We know that they’re going to be sound in what they do and well-coached. So we’re going to go in and make sure that we match the level of intensity that they bring.  This week we’re going to focus more on us than the opponent because last year they outplayed us and so that’s why the focus this week is going to be more on us than anything.”

Kyle Pace threw just seven passes but completed six of them for 169 yards and two touchdowns to go along with eight carries for 21 yards and a touchdown on the ground as well.

Hyde finished with 11 carries for 90 yards and two touchdowns on the ground while catching two passes for 43 yards and a touchdown.

Blain Goodson, Sage Raper and John Herring also found their way into the endzone on the ground as well with Goodson adding another touchdown through the air.

On the defensive side of things, Jeitt Traywick, Braxten Goodson and Andrew Green all came away with interceptions.