Phillips

Sarasota as a program on the rise in the Sarasota-Bradenton area.

He didn’t get the idea from looking at stats or highlight film.

He saw it up close — three times. The Sailors played against Manatee in their spring game, in the regular season (a 42-20 Manatee win) and in the postseason (a 30-20 Sarasota win).

Phillips said in those games he saw a team with natural ability, but that wasn’t all.

“I also saw resiliency in the kids,” Phillips said. “When I looked at that and the facilities they have, I thought they had a good foundation in place.”

On paper, the talent Sarasota has matches up with Phillips’ philosophy. Barring offseason transfers, the Sailors are in line to return all three of its main running backs. Joe Ziegler and Jaden Judge will be seniors, while Takurian Smith will be a junior. The trio combined for 1,724 yards and 14 touchdowns on 300 carries (5.75 yards per carry).

On defense, the Sailors are in line to return key players like linebackers Nick Wasowicz and Kyser Bordones and defensive end Bradford Stough. All three players will be seniors.

The Sailors will lose starting wide receivers/defensive backs Tyler Pack and Caleb Bradley, plus starting offensive/defensive lineman Maddox Marchbank, to graduation, among other players. Quarterback Alex Diaz, who started all eight of the Sailors’ regular season games, has already transferred to Booker High, so questions remain about the team’s roster. But Phillips is bullish on what the team can accomplish, not just this fall but in the years to come.

All Heart

No matter what happens on the field this fall, Phillips emphasized that just as many important developments will happen off the field. Phillips said he cares more about molding his players into people of character than he does winning games — and he cares about winning quite a bit.

Phillips said he’s going to challenge his players to be the best versions of themselves, and he’s going to love and support them while they get there.

“I believe these kids can achieve anything if they set their minds to it,” Phillips said. “Football is a game that, for most of them, they can only play for so long. They’re not all going to play in college. I want to help them be ready for life. Football teaches the best lessons in the world, I think.”