By Staff
HALEYVILLE – The Phil Campbell football team struggled early against Haleyville, but the team proved the clich/ "it is not how you start but how you finish" to be true.
The Bobcats looked like they were destined for another loss before rallying for a 15-14 win in two quarters of play.
Haleyville got on the scoreboard late in the first quarter when the Lions scored on an 8-yard run. They added to the score with a 2-yard run with 6:46 remaining in the second quarter.
The Phil Campbell offense, which had trouble moving the ball early, finally got into the end zone with 1:38 remaining. Daniel Bryant capped off a 65-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to breakup the shutout. Adam Mitchell hit the point-after attempt to pull Phil Campbell within seven.
The Bobcats kicked the ball away and the defense forced a three-and-out to regain possession.
Quarterback Jordan Benford led a three-play drive that covered 73 yards. He finished it with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Bryant with 20 seconds remaining. The Bobcats decided to try the two-point conversion and Bryant ran the ball into the end zone to give Phil Campbell the lead. The defense stopped the Lions and Phil Campbell escaped with an impressive come-from-behind win.
Phil Campbell had 135 yards of offense and the defense allowed 155 yards.
Benford was 5-of-8 for 106 passing yards. Matt Waid was the leading receiver with two catches for 46 yards.
In addition to a pair of touchdowns, Bryant also led the defense with four tackles. Dylan Hamby also had four tackles.
The Bobcats will host East Lawrence Friday in the regular season opener.