It seems that Happy Valley senior Luke Phillips’ career on the gridiron will continue at the collegiate level.
Monday, in front of friends and family, the Warrior signed his name with the University of the Cumberlands, where he will play football for the Patriots.
“It is a beautiful campus, and the people there are extremely friendly,” said Phillips about the school which is located in Williamsburg, Kentucky. “The coaching staff was very nice. Good Christian people. That is something that I was looking for.”
This past season, Phillips led the Warriors in interceptions as he pulled in four. Phillips wrapped up 2017 season with an all-conference honor after the Warriors made it to the second round of the TSSAA Class AA Playoffs.
On hand during Monday’s signing was Happy Valley head coach Jason Jarrett, who described Phillips as a “self-made athlete.”
“He really became a lockdown corner for us this year,” said Jarrett. “That is because of all of the work that he has put into it. He came over as a freshman. He just battled each and every day in the offseason, and he got better.
“You would find him up here on any given day working either by himself or with a couple of teammates running with parachutes or catching balls.”
Phillips may be a “lockdown corner” on the football field, but the Happy Valley senior could also be described as a lockdown student in the classroom as well. Phillips, who boasts a 3.9 GPA, racked up a 32 on the ACT.
Phillips said that juggling academics and athletics could be a tall task.
“Like football, in the classroom, you have to work hard to be successful, ” said Phillips. “If I am not doing one, I have to be doing the other. To be doing both, it is somewhat hard to find the time. I just always try to do my best at everything I try to do.”
As Phillips looks ahead to the future, he said that he will always remember his four years as a Happy Valley Warrior.
“High school football has always got its ups and downs,” said Phillips. “But it has been the best four years of my life. I would not change a moment of it. From the blood, the sweat, and the tears to the victory and celebrations, it has been the time of my life.