Feb. 04--In the school library on Wednesday morning, Phillips tied a six-loop bow on its historic football season.
The Wildcats marched through their undefeated season, beating its 14 opponents by a 594-94 tally. They won the Public League's first football state title with a 51-7 rout of Belleville Althoff and became local celebrities along the way.
The perfect season was capped on national signing day, when six Wildcat seniors -- defensive linemen Amir Watts (Pittsburgh) and Marzeek Williams (Missouri Baptist), linebacker Amani Jones (Iowa), receiver Quayvon Skanes (Connecticut) and cornerbacks Donald Gardner (South Dakota State) and David Munson (Winona State) -- put pen to paper for college scholarships.
"I don't want to say, just because we're putting a bow on it, that it's the end," Phillips coach Troy McAllister said. "Hopefully this is the beginning of something special here for years to come, but also for these young men. Our young guys have an incredible group to look up to, and these young men set the bar really high."
Watts' recruitment ran the longest. After committing to Western Michigan in April, the 6-foot-2, 260-pound defensive lineman reopened the process on Aug. 21. After a great season and brilliant state final -- three sacks, 5 1/2 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a fumble return for a touchdown -- Watts had a handful of high-major offers. He picked Pittsburgh, verbally committing on Jan. 24.
"The last month has been one of the hardest of my life," Watts said. "I've never really processed the fact that I need to go somewhere, and actually live there for the next five years of my life. That part has been hard.
"I get homesick so fast, I'm a really family-oriented guy. I call these guys every time I'm away from home, tell them how much I want to come back," he said, laughing.
Jones also flipped his commitment, switching from Illinois to Iowa last June. The middle linebacker, whom McAllister called the team's best player, tore a knee ligament during Week 5 and missed the rest of the season. McAllister told the 6-foot-1, 215-pounder he could break down in his office or at home, but couldn't allow the team to see it. Jones never did. Instead, he's gained a new respect for the game that was briefly taken away.
"I'm ready," said Jones, who now has full mobility in the injured knee. "During my official visit (to Iowa), I told my coaches during a meeting, 'You have no idea how hungry I am to play right now. I haven't played a game since October, and I'm so ready to come in and work.'"
Before a small crowd of friends and family, the 25-minute event was a beacon of hope amidst sometimes bleak surroundings. Like the team itself.
"When you see their parents here, and you see the look of straight pride? My feeling is not that same level, but as their coach, it's really close," McAllister said. "When you see the kids on a daily basis, and you see what they've worked at and overcome, it's just impressive. To see their faces now? It's priceless. It really is."
rmayor@tribpub.com
@CityHall03
Winners' spoils
Six seniors from state champion Phillips sign to play college football.
Amir Watts, DT: Pittsburgh
Amani Jones, LB: Iowa
Quayvon Skanes, QB/WR: Connecticut
Donald Gardner, CB: South Dakota St.
David Munson, CB: Winona St.
Marzeek Williams, DL: Missouri Baptist
