SAN JOSE —Tayden Phillips does it all for the Lincoln High School football team.
Phillips, the team’s quarterback, also plays defensive back where he’s assigned to cover the opposing team’s top receiver. He returns kickoffs and punts, and just for good measure, serves as his team’s punter, as well.
On Friday night, Phillips rushed 15 times for 185 yards and picked up another 110 through the air. He scored three touchdowns including the game-winner, a 5-yard run in the fourth quarter that gave Lincoln a 32-28 victory over Aragon in a back-and-forth affair that featured five lead changes.
“He was just electric,” Aragon coach Steve Sell said. “A fantastic player, obviously the difference in the game.”
Lincoln (3-0) had to get a great effort from Phillips to overcome a superlative performance by Aragon’s Lloyd Walter, who typically plays as a hybrid safety/linebacker on defense. But pressed into duty at running back due to the absence of both of Aragon’s starters at the position, Walter rushed for 226 yards on 18 carries and also scored three touchdowns.
“He’s a beast.” Phillips said of the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Walter. “I spent all summer getting faster and stronger because I knew I was going to have to go up against guys like him.”
Aragon had won six of the previous seven meetings in a series between the two teams characterized by the friendship between the two head coaches, so Friday’s victory was a big one for Lincoln.
“It gives us a little confidence,” Lincoln coach Kevin Collins said. “We feel good about playing well.”
Aragon (2-1), which was also without its starting quarterback in addition to both starting running backs, came out in the Power-I with two tight ends and drove the length of the field for a touchdown on the game’s opening possession, an 8-yard run by Walter.
Ezariah Sofeni’s 2-yard run and a 12-yarder by Phillips gave the Lions a 12-7 lead at halftime. A 70-yard breakaway by Phillips made it 19-7 early in the third quarter.
But Aragon came back to go ahead 20-19 on another 8-yard Walter TD and a pair of field goals by Cole Smith.
Lincoln immediately responded as Phillips connected with Salvador Espinzoa on a 32-yard pass to set up Espinoza’s 32-yard touchdown run.
So then it was Aragon’s turn to return the favor and regain the lead. Walter ripped off a 35-yard run which set up his own 19-yard scoring jaunt. A two-point conversion gave the Dons a 28-25 lead.
But that too was short-lived. The Lions proceeded to drive 65 yards for the deciding touchdown.
Walter had a sack on defense, Kitiona Peni a fumble recovery and Eric Laguna an interception for Aragon. Jacob Willman had a sack for Lincoln.
Lincoln has a bye next week and next plays at Gunderson on Sept. 23. Aragon is at Milpitas next Friday.
Source: www.mercurynews.com