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OVERCAST Temp: 70 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Saturday, October 4, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend October 2, 2003 South Medford punter Alan Phillips broke the school�s three-year-old punting record when the senior booted a 75-yard punt during last Friday�s 30-20 loss to Service High of Anchorage, Alaska. Phillips, who also the set the school record in the javelin at Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli With Phillips, South’s on solid footing Panther punter sets school record with 75-yard boot DON HUNT Mail Tribune Four months ago, Alan Phillips used his right arm to break the school record in the javelin at the Class 4A state track and field meet. Now he’s setting records with his right foot. The South Medford High senior boomed a 75-yard punt during last Friday’s 30-20 loss to Service High of Anchorage, Alaska, breaking John McKay’s three-year-old school record by 3 yards. Through four games, Phillips is averaging a staggering 47.6 yards on 11 punts. Should he maintain anything close to that average, he’ll shatter Ted Stark’s school record of 39.6 that was established in 1991. Advertisement "He’s got a live leg — the ball just rockets off his foot," says South Medford coach Bill Singler, noting that Phillips has a 63-yard boot and a 55-yarder to go with his school record. "He’s punting like a college kicker, and that helps our team get favorable field position." Phillips isn’t especially big at 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, but he spent all summer in the weight room to get stronger for both track and football. But as is the case with golf, punting a football long distances has more to do with technique than it does with strength. And Phillips is a good technician. "The drop of the ball and the rhythm you establish in your approach are probably the two most important things, and Alan is very good at both," Singler says. "The spirals he kicks are no accident. He knows how to tilt the ball as he’s dropping it — that’s what creates the spin. "He doesn’t get his kicking leg as high as some of the college and NFL guys. If he ever did, he’d be scary." In the game against Service, Phillips hit a respectable 45-yarder just prior to his record kick. A penalty pushed him back five yards, but his next punt sailed 55 yards in the air and then rolled another 20. It nearly died at the Service 1-yard line before trickling across the goal line. "It came off my foot perfectly and took off like a bullet," Phillips says. "It felt great to kick one that long, but I was disappointed it didn’t stop at the 1. "That would have been awesome." Although Phillips connected on some towering punts in practice Wednesday, he says his best kicks come during games. "I think it’s just the adrenaline and the crowd," he says. "The kicks seem to go a little longer and a little higher on Friday nights." Phillips is looking forward to this Friday’s game against archrival North Medford in the 18th-annual Black and Blue Game. The Black Tornado, like the Panthers, takes pride in its special teams. North Medford features punt-return standout Sammy McHenry, who registered a school record of his own when he sped 88 yards for a touchdown against Crater last week. "I’d like to just kick it over his head, but with a guy like that you’ve got be careful about outkicking your coverage," Phillips says. "Kicking it high will be the most important thing." Phillips has been drawing interest from several colleges for his exploits in the javelin, which include his school-record throw of 177 feet, 5 inches. But recruiters are beginning to see that Phillips has a leg up in a different sport. Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times