It wasn’t pretty. Season-opening games rarely are. For Phil Campbell and new head coach Jacob Hamilton, though, it was pretty sweet. The Bobcats beat their rival the old fashioned way – defense and special teams. Phil Campbell took advantage of four Hackleburg turnovers and a remarkable kickoff return to win 22-20.

“We made a lot of mistakes,” Hamilton said, “but I am so excited for these kids. We lost a lot of players off last year’s team, and these guys were on a mission to show they could still play. They did just that. It was a gutsy effort in some very adverse conditions.” 

The heat and humidity had been sweltering all day and didn’t let up much into the evening. Neither team appeared to be affected too much. Cramps are usually an issue in opening games, but there were minimal game stoppages due to injuries.  

“We knew it was going to be rough tonight,” Hamilton explained. “We’ve been preparing for this type of weather all summer and all week. Both teams fought hard. If they were gassed, they didn’t show it. Hopefully, it will let up some this week.” 

Phil Campbell got on the board first when Hayden Wingo scored on a 27-yard fumble return to give the Bobcats a 8-0 lead. Phil Campbell stopped a Hackleburg drive early in the second quarter when Ethan Hallman picked off a Panther pass over the middle. 

The Bobcats, however, couldn’t take advantage, turning the ball back over to Hackleburg on the next play when Edge Weeks got a 27-yard pick-six play. The Panthers tied the game 8-8 on the two point conversion. 

The stalemate didn’t last long. Wingo took the ensuing kickoff down the Hackleburg sidelines and somehow squirted out of the scrum of bodies to spring 75 yards for a touchdown. Phil Cambpell led 14-8. 

Hackleburg tied the game 14-14 just before halftime. 

Hackleburg took the lead in the third quarter 20-14 on a six-yard run by Blaise Vickery. 

Phil Campbell couldn’t get much done offensively all night. Hackleburg loaded up to stop the run and held the Bobcats to just 131 total yards on the night. Turnovers were the key to the game and Phil Campbell took advantage of one last one late in the  game. 

The Bobcats got the ball with just over three minutes to go in the game and with just under one minute to play, freshman quarter Hayston Scott scored on a three-yard run to tie the game. Hamilton sent the extra point team out but called a timeout and changed his mind, deciding to go for two. Scott gave the ball to senior Gage Baker who powered his way into the endzone to give the Bobcats the lead and the win. 

Phil Campbell ended the night with 195 yards in penalties to Hackleburg’s 110. 

The Bobcats will travel to Lamar County Friday night.