By Staff
Scot Beard
PHIL CAMPBELL – Phil Campbell football coach Michael Parker likes his team's chances of picking up its first region win since 2006 tonight when his Bobcats travel to Westminster Christian Academy.
It is the final region game for both teams, which are both 0-6 in region play.
"We've put together three pretty good days of practice this week," Parker said. "The spirits of the players are up."
Parker said the Wildcats play a disciplined style of football and said his team should match up well against WCA.
Though the Wildcats are only 2-6 overall, they do feature a potent passing attack led by senior quarterback Brian Park. Park has completed 199 passes for 2,188 yards and 22 touchdowns while throwing only seven interceptions.
Parker said the key to slowing down WCA's air game is to use strong fundamentals on defense.
"He throws the ball to a lot of different people," Parker said. "But he doesn't throw many deep balls. Most of those yards have come after the catch."
Parker also said the rain could also work in Phil Campbell's favor if it is still falling at game time.
If the game is close, Parker feels his quarterback, Jordan Benford, can handle the pressure because the Bobcats have been in several games that have gone deep into the fourth quarter before the outcome was decided.
"We've been in games where we haven't had to throw in desperate situations," Parker said.
That has allowed Benford to build his confidence and decrease his number of interceptions per game as the season has progressed.
Win or lose, Parker said his team has come a long way from the 0-10 squad he inherited in the spring.
"You would expect their heads to be down, but they know where they've come from," Parker said.