Author Spotlight
Sophia Brockmeier
The student section went crazy as then-junior Nate Phillips sprinted toward the end zone. Phillips was about to score his second touchdown of the 2023 Nut Cup game against Shawnee Mission North.
The event was just Phillips’ fourth game on the East team, and he didn’t even recognize the faces in the student section yet.
“I actually never asked anyone what the [Nut Cup] was,” Phillips said. “I still don’t really know.”
You’ll have to forgive East’s running back for not knowing about the tradition. Phillips transferred from Saint Thomas Aquinas High School at the beginning of his junior year to focus on football. Phillips’ positive impact on the team has led the group to a strong starting record, according to center and junior Michael English.
“He definitely boosts the morale of the team,” English said. “Whenever he’s around, he’s always making people laugh and making sure everyone’s in a good mood. He’s also just a really hard-nosed football player. Whenever he gets the ball, he’s gonna make something happen.”
East’s current record is 3-2, a strong contrast from their record at this time last year: 2-3. Phillips chalks this improvement up to an engaged head coach, Mark Simoneau, and team bonding.
Huddled in Phillips’ basement, shouting at a TV, the offensive players argued all summer over their weekly “Family Feud” game nights. These nights included eating cheese pizza, blasting music, disagreeing over the most popular answer and, of course, freestyling karaoke.
“We would just blast a beat on the TV, and someone would start freestyling,” Phillips said. “Michael actually made up his own song one time. It was pretty crazy.”
English, along with the other offensive players, were some of the first teammates Phillips met when he transferred to East.
After playing at Saint Thomas Aquinas as freshman and sophomore, Phillips began to feel that the school wasn’t for him. The aggressive coaching and negative practices didn’t give him the motivation to continue his football career. So, he began looking at schools he could transfer to while continuing the sport.
“I saw on social media that Simoneau was [going to East] and that he was a big deal,” Phillips said. “I looked at his background, and he was a pretty cool guy. I was like, ‘I’ll just go there and start something new with the new coach.’”
Phillips made an effort to engage with Simoneau during and after practice, discussing game plays along with their personal lives. Phillips said his closer connection with a head coach has allowed him to expand his game play.
“Every single play I’m usually giving [Nate] the ball in some way,” quarterback and junior Jack Reeves said. “That’s when we can work together. When I actually run the ball, or I throw the ball, he’s always blocking for me. He’s creating a path.”
During the Sept. 27 game against Olathe North, Philips broke his fibula — the smaller of the two bones in the lower leg. After Phillips had been brought to the sidelines, English was quick to check on him.
“I went up to him, and I was just like, ‘Hey you just stay here, but I’m going to go win this for you,’” English said. “I knew that the offense was going to step up and just do everything in our power to win. I just wanted him to know that we had his back, and we’re gonna pull through.”
That night East beat Olathe North 39-34.
In the following days, Phillips would be bombarded with texts from Simoneau just asking about his injury and upcoming treatment plans.
While Phillips likely won’t be playing on the field until playoffs, he still wants to engage with the team on the sidelines and in the locker rooms.
After games, Phillips will continue celebrating with the team through funny photos in the locker room while blasting, “Like A G6” and, of course, going to Canes for a post-game team dinner. These Friday night traditions, along with a supportive coach, are what makes up Phillip’s love for football.
“I love Nate,” English said. “I don’t want to disappoint him, and I think he feels the same way.”
Leave a Reply