Phillips File (Photo by Austin Kilgore, The Daily Campus)
Welcome, Mustang fans, to my 2006 spring football world as a player, student and parent. From the eyes and mind of Chris Phillips, I will attempt to take you behind the scenes of what goes on in the locker room, classroom, football field and at home.
I am a proud father, and my high school sweetheart Anna Munoz and I have raised a beautiful 15-month-old daughter. Parenthood is a challenging task, but spending time with Analiyah Christine is indescribable. She is a joy and a blessing to us.
This spring has had its ups and downs, but we are definitely making strides at a conference championship and bowl game.
Speaking of bowling, it wasn’t a bad idea of the coaching staff to put the various bowl game pictures all over the locker room. I mean literally, we can’t even use the restroom without seeing the games’ stadiums where they will be played. And it was a good idea to instill that goal in our minds.
Our senior leadership this year is outstanding. I’m not just saying that because most are from the talented class of 2003, but this year’s group really is taking charge.
Before we begin talking about spring football and winter workouts, when we returned from break we had a team meeting. In the meeting coach Bennett pressed the issue that we will not settle for being a better football team, but we will work to be better and better every day, from the field to the classroom.
He announced that we had a very good academic semester in the fall and praised us for it. Personally, I am a journalism major, and I am set to graduate on time in May 2007. With a fifth year of eligibility, I will focus on a second degree in sociology.
All right, enough about school. We will get back into football because we players always jokingly say, “I wish we could just play football.”
We wrapped up brutal winter workouts, which will only help us in the long run. In the weight room head strength coach Chuck Faucette did a tremendous job of getting the players bigger and stronger coming off the holiday break.
I think we are as strong as I’ve seen in my three years on the Hilltop. Coach Faucette and his staff really prepared us for the conditioning aspect of the winter also. Goals were set and goals were met, so we only want to continue them on the football field as well.
Now what you’ve been waiting for: the low-down on the field. First off, I honestly enjoy watching our defense every chance I get. The athletes we have on that side of the ball are unbelievable.
Not to take anything away from the others, but my favorite players to watch are Jonathan Lindley, Joe Sturdivant, Wilton McCray and Brandon Bonds. Those guys are definite playmakers, and I honestly enjoy watching them.
Offensively, we have a lot of weapons. Bobby Chase catches nearly every ball in practice, Demyron Martin is tough to bring down and Columbus Givens is electrifying.
As many of you heard, I am no longer at the quarterback position. Though young, all the quarterbacks have been sharp in practice and will only get better with time. My position change to tight end was difficult and frustrating at first, but I’m catching on pretty quickly. Whatever it takes to help my team win and make it to the NFL, I’m willing to do.
Well, that’s a wrap, so check back next week to read more pigskin gossip and another progress report.
Phillips File
