Phil Campbell quarterback Peyton Thomas readies for the play.

By Jonathan Grimes for the FCT

Oct. 7 the Bobcats hosted Mars Hill in another region battle. After a bye week, the Bobcats were looking to get a win in region play to keep the possibilities of a playoff bid this year alive. The two teams entered into a major defensive battle as both offenses struggled to find the end zone, but eventually it was Mars Hill that pulled off the victory over the Bobcats, 24-13.

The Bobcats won the opening coin toss and decided to receive the ball first. However, they had to punt after a quick three-and-out. Mars Hill’s luck wasn’t much better because they also went three-and-out after a Nick Swinney sack. The rest of the first half scripted the way it started, with a lot of three-and-outs and a few stalled drives in the other team’s territory.

Mars Hill was the first team to find the end zone with 46 seconds left in the first half after a 20-yard TD run. Mars Hill attempted a two-point conversion and failed, to leave the score 6-0 Mars Hill with 46 seconds left in the 2^nd quarter. The Bobcats’ last drive of the half started on their own 36, and they drove down the field to the Mars Hill 33-yard line but ran out of time, making the score 6-0 Mars Hill at the half.

Mars Hill started the second half with the ball but quickly turned the ball over by a fumble, steering the Bobcats up 1st and 10 on the Mars Hill 33. The Bobcats seemed to be about to turn the ball over on downs, but after a big fourth down conversion, the Bobcats were poised to score from inside the 10-yard line. The Bobcats scored on a TD run by Trey Nalls, and after a Daniel Smith point, the Bobcats were in the lead 7-6 with 6:14 left in the 3rd.

The next Mars Hill possession started from their own 33-yard line and went down the field for a score on a 21-yard pass. The two-point conversion failed, but Mars Hill took a 12-7 lead with 1:00 left in the 3rd quarter.

This did not deter the Bobcats: on the very next Bobcat drive, PC scored again. The Bobcats started their next drive from their own 25 and drove down the field, ending in a 12-yard TD run by Colby Baker. The Bobcats attempted a 2-point conversion but failed, leaving the score 13-12 Phil Campbell with 8:33 left to play.

Mars Hill’s next drive started from the 35 and continued down the field, ending in a score, making the score Mars Hill 18-13 with 4:20 left in the game. The kick-off made things really interesting, as Mars Hill caught the Bobcats off guard by doing an onside kick, and after Mars Hill recovered the ball, it set them up with a short field.

The ensuing Mars Hill drive ended with another TD run to make the score 24-13 with 1:30 left to play. The Bobcats got the ball back, but the last drive was ended by an interception.

Next week the Bobcats look to bounce back as they face another region foe in the Hattie Hornets. Phil Campbell’s record is now (2-5) and (0-4) in region 8.