By Jonathan Grimes for the FCT

Friday night the Phil Campbell Bobcats traveled to the Sulligent Blue Devils in a region battle the Bobcats needed to win. The Bobcats fought hard, but in the end the Blue Devils pulled out a decisive victory, bringing the Bobcats’ record to 1-4, 0-3.

The first half of the game, the two teams matched each other step for step. The first quarter flew by fast because of the Bobcats and Blue Devils ground game. The first quarter ended with a score of 0-0, but the Devils were driving late.

The scoring drought came to an end with 11:27 left in the second quarter when the Devils ran the ball in from seven yards out.

Once again the two teams would keep the ball on the ground and let the clock run down. Neither team could sustain a drive to the end zone the rest of the first half. The Bobcats looked to have a chance at a last minute drive with 0:33 left before halftime, but on the first play the Bobcats’ pass was intercepted, making the score at halftime 7-0 Blue Devils.

When play continued in the third quarter, the Blue Devils found the end zone early by taking their first drive of the second half down the field for a score to raise their lead to 14-0 with 10:23 left in the third quarter. This time the Bobcats had a response to the Devils. After a few false start penalties, the Bobcats drove down the field 62 yards, finishing the drive with a short pass to Joe Hardy that Hardy ran 40 yards in for a touchdown. This made the score 14-7 Devils with 7:43 remaining in the third quarter. However, this was to be the only scoring drive for the Bobcats.

The Bobcat defense had a tough time with the Sulligent ground game the rest of the game. Through all the struggles, the Bobcats never gave up as the third quarter came to a close with a score of 28-7. Sulligent scored two more times before the end of the ball game and won with a final score of 42-7.

Friday the Bobcats will host the Phillips Bears for Homecoming.