SAN JOSE —Tayden Phillips does all of it for the Lincoln Excessive Faculty soccer staff.
Phillips, the staff’s quarterback, additionally performs defensive again the place he’s assigned to cowl the opposing staff’s prime receiver. He returns kickoffs and punts, and only for good measure, serves as his staff’s punter, as effectively.
On Friday night time, Phillips rushed 15 occasions for 185 yards and picked up one other 110 by way of the air. He scored three touchdowns together with the game-winner, a 5-yard run within the fourth quarter that gave Lincoln a 32-28 victory over Aragon in a back-and-forth affair that featured 5 lead modifications.
“He was simply electrical,” Aragon coach Steve Promote mentioned. “A improbable participant, clearly the distinction within the recreation.”
Lincoln (3-0) needed to get an incredible effort from Phillips to beat a superlative efficiency by Aragon’s Lloyd Walter, who usually performs as a hybrid security/linebacker on protection. However pressed into responsibility at working again because of the absence of each of Aragon’s starters on the place, Walter rushed for 226 yards on 18 carries and in addition scored three touchdowns.
“He’s a beast.” Phillips mentioned of the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Walter. “I spent all summer season getting sooner and stronger as a result of I knew I used to be going to need to go up towards guys like him.”
Aragon had gained six of the earlier seven conferences in a collection between the 2 groups characterised by the friendship between the 2 head coaches, so Friday’s victory was a giant one for Lincoln.
“It offers us slightly confidence,” Lincoln coach Kevin Collins mentioned. “We be ok with enjoying effectively.”
Aragon (2-1), which was additionally with out its beginning quarterback along with each beginning working backs, got here out within the Energy-I with two tight ends and drove the size of the sector for a landing on the sport’s opening possession, an 8-yard run by Walter.
Ezariah Sofeni’s 2-yard run and a 12-yarder by Phillips gave the Lions a 12-7 lead at halftime. A 70-yard breakaway by Phillips made it 19-7 early within the third quarter.
However Aragon got here again to go forward 20-19 on one other 8-yard Walter TD and a pair of area targets by Cole Smith.
Lincoln instantly responded as Phillips linked with Salvador Espinzoa on a 32-yard move to arrange Espinoza’s 32-yard landing run.
So then it was Aragon’s flip to return the favor and regain the lead. Walter ripped off a 35-yard run which arrange his personal 19-yard scoring jaunt. A two-point conversion gave the Dons a 28-25 lead.
However that too was short-lived. The Lions proceeded to drive 65 yards for the deciding landing.
Walter had a sack on protection, Kitiona Peni a fumble restoration and Eric Laguna an interception for Aragon. Jacob Willman had a sack for Lincoln.
Lincoln has a bye subsequent week and subsequent performs at Gunderson on Sept. 23. Aragon is at Milpitas subsequent Friday.