Bobcats fall to Panthers
By Staff
Bart Moss For the FCT
PHIL CAMPBELL - The future of the Phil Campbell Bobcats was on display in their final game of the season.
Even though the Bobcats lost their final game to their closest rival, Hackleburg, 13-6, there was a lot to look forward to.
The Bobcats honored their five senior football players: Eric Glasgow, Mark Wells, Alex Graben, Aaron Mills and Kyle Nix.
It was a freshman who stole the show, however. Josh McCarley carried the ball 22 times for 145 yards.
In the end, though, it was Trannon Frederick's 145 yards on 40 carries that carried the day for the Hackleburg Panthers. Frederick also had a touchdown run of 45 yards and one interception on the night.
Hackleburg wasted no time showing off their vaunted running game. On their first drive, the Panthers marched 72 yards on 16 plays. The Bobcat defense, however, was able to stop Hackleburg three times inside the one yard line to take over on downs.
Phil Campbell's ensuing drive ended in a punt.
On Hackleburg's second play from scrimmage, Frederick found a wide open hole and sprinted 56 yards to pay dirt for the first score of the game. Tyler Wooten added the PAT to make the score 7-0 with 10:48 remaining in the second quarter.
Eric Glasgow opened the second half with a 31-yard kickoff return to the Phil Campbell 41-yard line. The Bobcats moved the ball successfully on the ground to the Hackleburg 13 before three incomplete passes stalled their drive.
The Panthers moved the ball close to midfield before quarterback Clint Randolph found a wide open Jon McKinney for a 55-yard touchdown pass to give Hackleburg a 13-0 lead with 4:14 to go in the third quarter.
Glasgow returned the Hackleburg kickoff 36 yards to the Phil Campbell 41-yard line. The Bobcats were able to put together a 16-play, 59-yard drive that ended in a Randy Cochran sneak into the end zone from one yard out. The touchdown put the Bobcats on the scoreboard for the first and only time with 8:13 to go in the game.
Phil Campbell had one last shot when they forced Hackleburg to turn the ball over on downs at the Bobcat 28-yard line. However, a Randy Cochran pass was intercepted by Tony Dobbs at the 45-yard line and returned to the 15-yard line of the Bobcats. The Panthers ran out the clock and held on to the win.
The loss ended Phil Campbell's season at 3-7.
Hackleburg will travel to Cedar Bluff next week for a first round playoff game.
