Injured Green Valley High player earns ‘Go for Broke’ award

By Sean Ammerman

Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008 | 5:47 p.m.

Since injuring his spine Sept. 5 in the second game of the season, all LaQuan Phillips could think about was getting back into a Green Valley High football jersey.

The severity of the injury — a spinal contusion that initially left him without feeling below his shoulders ­— prevented the senior from returning to the field. But Phillips still played a crucial role in the Gators 8-4 season.

Phillips' recovery inspired his team to recover from a 1-2 start to making the postseason.

Green Valley's program paid tribute to Phillips on Dec. 4 at its football banquet, as did the Home News, which honored him with its annual "Go For Broke" award.

"This injury took me down, but I felt in so many ways I couldn't stay down," Phillips said. "This injury has shown me that while I may not be back on my feet yet, I have made an impression. I will be back on my feet very soon."

The Home News has given the "Go For Broke" trophy to one athlete from schools in its coverage area for more than 20 years.

The award, created by former Home News publisher Gov. Mike O'Callaghan, was established in honor of Japanese-Americans who fought in World War II while their families were locked up in internment camps following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

O'Callaghan, who died in 2004, admired the soldiers of the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team for their heroic accomplishments in battle and named the award for their motto "Go For Broke."

Phillips received a standing ovation as his teammates wheeled him to the front of the room to accept his trophy.

After the banquet, players and coaches congratulated him for the award and for returning to school on Dec. 1.

"To know that they carried me in their hearts, it was amazing," he said. "But at the same time, had it been any other player, it would be the same way for me."

Phillips suffered the injury, which has left him temporarily paralyzed, while making a tackle during Green Valley's 24-20 loss to Centennial on Sept. 5.

His recovery has been about six months ahead of schedule, said his aunt and legal guardian Delphine Lakes, who hopes to see her nephew walking by graduation in June.

Phillips said the recovery has gone smooth since returning to the comforts of his home Nov. 21. He previously was recovering at Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California in Sacramento since Sept. 16.

"To everyone else my recovery has been amazing, but to me, it's been what I have expected," he said.

Sean Ammerman can be reached at 990-2661 or [email protected].