Mitchell RB, Phillips, breaks one record on his way to breaking another
MITCHELL, S.D. (BVM) — Parker Phillips had a career night last Friday against Spearfish. The Mitchell running back had amassed over 300 yards rushing and five touchdowns by the end of the first half.
It was also close to breaking both the Mitchell High School and Class 11AA state record for most rushing yards in a single game.
“During halftime they said I was I think like 17 yards away from breaking it,” Phillips said.
325 yards was The school record of 325 yards had been held by Spencer Neugebauer since 2016. On his second carry of the second half, Phillips broke that record and tied the Class 11AA record with 378 yards for the game. His final carry, for the record, was a 69-yard touchdown run.
“The line blocked good and there was an opening so I took it,” Phillips said.
The record-breaking performance was even more impressive because it only took him 13 carries and he also scored six touchdowns. Mitchell ended up beating Spearfish, 73-13, to reach 3-0 on the season.
“Third game into the season I see a football team that is gaining confidence,” Kernels head coach Kent Van Overschelde said.
Mitchell is coming off a season in which they reached the state semifinals before losing to the eventual state champion Pierre T.F. Riggs. Pierre is also the three–time defending state champs.
The Kernels are looking to end that streak and Phillips is a big part of that. With a great offensive line and offensive coordinator Joe Kramer calling the plays, Mitchell has a deadly offense. Three games into the season, Phillips already has racked up 782 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The last time a Kernel running back that was on Phillips’ pace was Neugebauer, who helped lead the program to its first state title. Neugebauer rushed for 2,191 yards and 38 touchdowns during the 2016 season.
That is another record that Phillips is looking to break, but he’s more focused on winning this week’s game against Dell Rapids.
“I’m just focused on the next game,” Phillips said.
That has been his mentality since he first came to Mitchell as a freshman.
“I remember having a conversation with Parker when he was a freshman,” Van Overschelde said. “A conversation with him about the fact that he wanted to work in the weight room to improve and get better.”
He did just that and by his junior year he was making a name for himself. Soon everyone in the area knew the 5-foot-7, 165-pound running back who was wreaking havoc on defenses.
“My dad always told me it doesn’t matter how big I am or how fast I am, it’s just about if I get hit, I get back up,” Phillips said.
He often gets back up and then breaks off a run for 20-plus yards and all rival teams can do is watch their momentum disappear.
“If we’re losing or if we don’t have momentum, I like to have the ball,” Phillips said.
The Kernels have a tough road ahead of them. After Dell Rapids on Friday, they will face off against Yankton, Heron, Pierre and Brookings — all contenders for the Class 11AA championship. But Mitchell is ready.
“We’re competitive and we want to win,” Phillips said.
