Chris Phillips
is a small wonder

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

Chris Phillips is proving size doesn’t matter.
The 5-foot-1, 103-pound Fox Chase resident is certainly one of the smallest guys on his local Catholic Youth Organization football squad, but that didn’t stop him from also being one of the best.
Phillips — a running back and safety who led the St. William’s "Wildcats" CYO team in points and interceptions this year — helped his squad capture the Philadelphia CYO title and CYO AA Suburban title.
"It felt really good to win the championship," said Phillips. "It was a big accomplishment because I was really light and going up against some pretty big guys. But I have a lot of good kids on my team that will block for me."
The Wildcats, who compiled a 10-0 record this season, are composed of local students from St. William’s, Resurrection, Presentation and St. Cecilia’s. There are no size limitations, but players must be in seventh or eighth grade.
"One kid on my team is 230 pounds," said Phillips, an eighth-grader at St. Cecila’s. "And I’m barely over a hundred."
But the little guy didn’t let that hold him back. With four minutes left in the CYO title game against Mount Carmel on Nov. 3, Phillips dashed 15 yards for the game-winning touchdown, giving the Wildcats a 14-8 championship win.
"To be honest, I was surprised they gave me the ball," recalled Phillips. "But it felt really good because I could help my team."
The Wildcats’ triumphant battle was Phillips’ first appearance on the field following a knee injury two weeks earlier. The sports enthusiast was playing basketball with some friends and tripped, his knee striking the pavement.
"It was just a really bad bruise," he said. "But I was out for a while. My first game back was the championship."
And what a triumphant comeback it was.
"Winning the championship was an unforgettable feeling," he said. "It was really cool."
However, this was not Phillips’ first experience with injuries or even championship titles, for that matter.
In 2004, while playing for Fox Rok’s 106-pound league, Phillips’ season was cut short when he broke an elbow. But the determined athlete returned the following year and led his team to the NESAC championship. He was 80 pounds at the time.
"I don’t really worry about getting hurt. It’s part of the game," said Phillips. "I love the game of football. I like everything about it. Plus, a lot of my friends are on the team, so it makes it more fun."
The 14-year-old has been a regular on the football field since he was 5, thanks in part to his dad Steve.
"He used to play," said Phillips, referring to his father’s days with the Kensington Ramblers. "So I decided to try out and loved it."
In addition to his skills on the gridiron, Phillips has done quite well on the soccer field for much of his life.
"It’s hard playing both," said Phillips, who covers sweeper responsibilities on the soccer field. "But I find a way to do it. I miss most of my soccer practices for football games, because I always put football first. But my coach was cool about it, and it always worked out."
The versatile athlete also can be found playing hockey, basketball and running track in his free time.
"Track keeps you in shape and is good for conditioning," said Phillips. "And so is soccer. Playing all of the sports really helps me. They all teach you how to be a team player."
Next year, after graduating from elementary school, Phillips plans to attend Roman Catholic High School. He’d like to continue his athletic endeavors there.
"I’m definitely trying out for football," he said. "I don’t know if I’ll make it, but I hope so. If I don’t make the football team, I’ll try soccer, but I know that I can’t do both in high school."
As for academics, Phillips plans to follow in the footsteps of his mother, Jane Costello, and eventually enter the police academy. That is, of course, if his dreams of becoming a professional athlete are sacked.
"I would love to be a football player," said Phillips. "But just in case that doesn’t work out, becoming a police officer would be great too." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com