DR. PHILLIPS
2016: 12-3, lost to Miami Southridge in the state championship
Head Coach: Rodney Wells
Key Returners: DB Tanner Ingle, OT John Campbell
The Scoop: Dr. Phillips is moving on after losing in the 4th quarter of the 8A State Championship game last season. Returning to that title game will be difficult for the Panthers as they once again have a tough schedule, front loaded with some stout competition like Apopka and Mainland.
Quotable: “We are not even going to worry about the season, our focus is on states. We’re just trying to make it back to states and prove to everybody that we can do that again and take it this time.” – John Campbell
2017 Schedule:
8/24 vs University
9/1 @Timber Creek
9/8 @West Orange
9/15 vs Apopka
9/22 vs Mainland
9/29 @Oak Ridge
10/6 @Wekiva
10/13 @Freedom
10/20 vs Olympia
10/26 vs Cypress Creek
Dr. Phillips had their hearts crushed last season. Looking for their first state championship ever, the Panthers were leading 10-0 in the 4th quarter of the title game against Miami Southridge. And then things fell apart. 14-10 the final score, Dr. Phillips left with a sour memory that won’t go away.
“We use it as motivation for this season,” said Tennessee commit and senior defensive back Tanner Ingle. “Coach Wells’ motto this year is finish because we made it to the state championship game and we didn’t finish the game. So this year his motto is really just finish.”
The 2016 season is behind them; the summer is nearly over and if there is one team eager to get back to playing real football, it’s Dr. Phillips.
“You get to play football, you get to compete,” said Head Coach Rodney Wells. “You are not just in the weight room and grinding. It’s football, it’s in the air, we can smell it and it’s football season.”
The Panthers have never before won a state championship. And while getting back to the title game this season will be difficult, it’s the sole focus of a class that includes the likes of Ingle and UM commit John Campbell.
“We are not even going to worry about the season, our focus is on states,” said Campbell. “We’re just trying to make it back to states and prove to everybody that we can do that again and take it this time.”
All the Panthers have to do is finish.