Phil Campbell clobbers Carbon Hill 56-12 for third straight win

In its final road game of the regular season, the Phil Campbell High School varsity football team traveled to Carbon Hill and put a beatdown on the Bulldogs 56-12 to improve to 4-3 overall and 3-2 in Class 3A Region 5 play.

“We were able to jump up quick and execute early,” Phil Campbell head coach Jacob Hamilton told the Franklin Free Press.

“We’re excited for any win—any region win, especially in the tough region that we’re in,” Hamilton added. “That was our first road win of the season, so we’re happy to get that and hope to continue to do well in the region so we can lock in that fourth spot (in the region) and meet our goal of making the playoffs.”

The Bobcats opened the scoring early on a touchdown run of about 35 yards by senior Logan Cooper and converted on the two-point attempt to give them an 8-0 lead with 8:47 to go in the first.

The hosts responded with a quick score on their first drive to make it 8-6, but PCHS was able to once again put together a methodical touchdown drive capped by a short touchdown run. The ensuing two-point conversion was successful and the Bobcats led 16-6 with just over three minutes left in the first quarter.

On Carbon Hill’s next drive the Bobcat defense came up with a score of its own to increase their advantage on the road. The Bulldogs were driving but a fumble on an option play was picked up by Chandler Benford and returned about 60 yards for a touchdown that made it 24-6 with just over a minute remaining in the opening period.

“We were able to get a scoop-and-score and that really shifted the momentum,” Hamilton said.

“Us getting our first three two-point conversions was huge,” the head coach added.

From then on it was all Bobcats.

After a couple changes of possession, Phil Campbell’s offense found the endzone again on a short touchdown run by Braxton Downey which capped a 75-yard drive with 7:25 left in the half. The Bobcats took a 30-6 lead into the intermission.

After halftime, a Carbon Hill turnover on downs to start the third quarter gave Phil Campbell good field position in plus territory. The Bobcats took advantage and added to their lead on a 36-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Hayston Scott to receiver Austin Elliott to make it 36-6.

A four-yard score by senior Logan Cooper and then two rushing touchdowns by Downey—one from 49 yards and the other from 21 yards out as time expired—rounded out the scoring for the Bobcats.

“We were able to run the ball very well, so I was really proud of my offensive line,” Hamilton said. “We were still able to throw the ball when we wanted to. Hayston (Scott) and Austin (Elliott) had really good games. It was a balanced night and it was fun, so I’m very proud of them.”

The region victory keeps the Bobcats in fourth place—the final playoff spot—in the region behind Vinemont, Gordo, and Winfield.

Hamilton told the FFP that Phil Campbell’s recent run of form comes down to his team playing as one.

“We’ve just played together. It’s been a team effort and we’re a tight group,” he said. “For us to go on a stretch like this…and for us to have a three-game win streak, all it is is just a team effort. I’ve got a great group of kids that play together and work hard and there’s no selfishness. We play as a team; that’s the main thing for us, and it’s awesome.”

Phil Campbell has two crucial region games remaining, both to be played at Parrish Stadium over the next two weekends.

The next contest for PCHS is against Gordo, who came into the weekend ranked No. 3 in Class 3A but were knocked off by Vinemont 22-19 Friday night.

Hamilton said momentum is with his team after their three consecutive wins. The Bobcats get the Green Wave at home next Friday, and the fact that Gordo was defeated by a team that Hamilton stated his side had an opportunity to beat back in week two may prove to buoy the Bobcats’ confidence even more.

“We’ve won three in a row and the kids are feeling good and confident,” Hamilton said. “Our kids are confident and we feel that we can play with anybody when we do things right and execute. But us coming home with the momentum—we know (Gordo) is still going to be good, but we also know that we’re good. It’ll be a good game, and we’re excited to play them.”

Phil Campbell is set to host Gordo at Parrish Stadium on Friday, October 17, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.