Dr. Phillips wins 8th straight district title
Nine different players rushed the ball, four had receptions, two completed passes and the defense scored a touchdown in a total team effort that won Dr. Phillips its eighth straight district title Thursday night.
The Panthers (5-3, 3-0 in 8A, District 5) did it with a 41-10 home victory over Olympia (5-3, 2-1), forcing a running clock after three touchdowns in the third quarter gave them a 41-3 lead.
“Going into the season, I wanted to put them through the toughest schedule they’d ever been through, and I knew we were going to gradually get better and better because we lost 36 seniors last year,” Dr. Phillips coach Rodney Wells said. “For this senior class to win the district title every single year that they’ve been here, it’s special.”
Quarterback Marvin Washington started the Panthers’ scoring early, capping the first drive of the game with a 1-yard touchdown run, which was set up by junior Kenny Palmer’s 49-yard run.
Washington later ran in a 2-yard score and finished 7-of-10 passing for 80 yards.
Senior Alvin Bryant also scored twice, turning a shovel pass from Emare Hogan into a 52-yard touchdown and 14-0 lead in the first quarter.
He also ran for a 24-yard score just before sophomore cornerback Chance Bush returned an interception for a touchdown that closed out a 27-point third quarter for the Panthers.
Olympia struggled to move the ball but was given help.
Two pass-interference calls and a personal foul by Dr. Phillips in the second quarter allowed the Titans to keep drives alive, one that led to an 18-yard field goal at the beginning of the second quarter.
The Titans’ only touchdown came on a deep pass from elusive quarterback Joe Milton to senior Jeff James with about six minutes left in the game.
Milton was 20-of-38 passing for 232 yards and a touchdown.
James had three receptions for 74 yards and that score.
“I’m at a loss for words,” Bryant said of winning district titles all four of his high school seasons.
“It feels really good knowing this is my last goround.
“We just stayed humble and did what we had to do.”
Olympia will host Oak Ridge at 7:30 next Friday night for the district runner-up spot and a playoff berth while the Panthers host district rival Cypress Creek.
ardelgallo @orlandosentinel.com