Service’s Taurian Phillip accounted for four TDs Saturday. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
If Taurian Phillip was nervous before Saturday’s game, he didn’t show it. He was too busy showing out.
The first-year starting quarterback for the Service High football team accounted for four touchdowns in Saturday’s 32-7 win over South in the annual Southside Cup game dating back to 2004.
Phillip threw three TD passes and broke off a 58-yard scoring run to power an offense that generated 359 total yards.
Even his backup, Austin French, got into the scoring act with a 2-yard TD run late in the third quarter after filling in for Philip for a couple plays when the starter went to the sideline after taking a shot in a physical, rivalry game that had lots of guys limping off the field.
Philip was back under center for the next series and orchestrated two more scoring drives in the fourth quarter, including his long scoring run when he got around the left edge and scampered untouched down the sideline.
Meanwhile, South couldn’t get out of its way. The Wolverines turned the ball over six times, including five lost fumbles that derailed drives and gave the Cougars excellent field position.
South’s lone TD came on fourth down after a fumble was recovered by offensive lineman Lucas Neacsu, who barreled in from 2 yards out.
CIC Football
Week 1
Saturday
Service 32, South 7
East 22, Juneau 6
Friday
West 33, Colony 0
Dimond 35, Bartlett 30
The Wolverines fumbled on their first two possessions, with the second one leading to Service’ first TD. Phillip led the team on a five-play, 69-yard scoring drive that was capped with his 26-yard scoring strike to his brother Cassidy, who made a nice over-the-shoulder grab in the corner of the end zone.
Service’s next scoring drive was a one-hit wonder as Phillip hooked up with Chrystchen Font on a 61-yard catch-and run TD play. Font beat two South defensive backs and Phillip put the ball right on the money.
Service’s Chrystchen Font beat the defense for a 61-yard touchdown. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
South didn’t have trouble moving the ball and racked up 314 yards on offense, including 172 through the air.
Quarterback Cole Yarrington found star wideout Landon Drumm on a 35-yard pass play that put South in Service territory. On the next play, Yarrington threw an interception, but the Service defender fumbled the ball back to South. In the end, the wild play resulted in a 3-yard gain for the Wolverines.
On the final play of the first half, Yarrington’s 50-yard Hail Mary reached the end zone and looked to be on target but was deflected at the last moment by a Service defensive back.
Service’ defense stood tall in this one. Not only did the Cougars force six turnovers, but they furnished five sacks, including three in the fourth quarter.
Service 13 0 6 13 – 32
South 0 0 0 7 – 7
FIRST QUARTER
Service – C. Phillip 26 pass from T. Phillip (kick missed) 2:45
Service – Font 61 pass from T. Phillip (kick good) :06
THIRD QUARTER
Service – French 2 run (kick missed) 2:23
FOURTH QUARTER
South – Neacsu 2 run (pass failed) 11:55
Service – T. Phillip 58 run (kick good) 10:48
Service – Phelps 26 pass from T. Phillip (kick missed) 7:59
South’s Isaiah Douyon climbs the ladder to make the catch. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
