By Staff
Scot Beard
PHIL CAMPBELL – The Phil Campbell football team had flirted with victory a few times this season, with the closest call coming at Clements.
Friday night the Bobcats quit flirting and took charge of their game against Vina to walk away with a 41-15 victory.
"It feels like all the work has paid off," sophomore quarterback Jordan Benford said. "We played a whole game – we haven't done that yet."
While the victory was a result of a total team effort, Benford put up some pretty good stats in the offensive explosion.
He completed 8-of-10 passes for 228 yards and four touchdowns. It was the first game this season in which Benford did not throw an interception.
He also had a successful game on the ground, carrying the ball 14 times for 73 yards including a 24-yard touchdown run.
"Those were big numbers he put up," said Phil Campbell coach Michael Parker. "The o-line played pretty good too. No quarterback is better than his offensive line."
Parker said he has been pleased by the progress Benford has made throughout the season, but the Vina game was a big step forward.
"I think he grew up a lot. He made good reads throwing and good reads running," Parker said. "He is picking up on what I want him to do."
Benford will not have long to bask in the glory of the win that ended a 15-game losing streak for the Bobcats. Phil Campbell resumes region play this week by hosting Red Bay.
Parker said it will be the toughest defense Benford will face so far this season. Parker said he will try to take some of the pressure off his quarterback, but Benford will have to step up to the plate.
"He's got to become more mature," Parker said. "Red Bay teaches fundamentals and they bring a lot to the table for a young quarterback to face."