With loss behind him, injured player eyes new goal

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Published Friday, Oct. 31, 2008 | 12:55 a.m.

Updated Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008 | 1:28 p.m.

Throughout his ordeal, LaQuan Phillips never cried.

Not when he was tackled on the football field. Not when he realized, lying there staring into the night sky, that he had been paralyzed. Not through the months of agonizing rehabilitation.

But on this night, under the halogen glow of the football stadium lights at Basic High School, Phillips finally let loose after his teammates at Green Valley High lost the Henderson Bowl game on Oct. 30.

Tears streamed down his face as he sat in a wheelchair on the sidelines of a game he had vowed to play in, that was the brass ring he had been grasping for throughout his recovery.

But it was not to be. Not for LaQuan Phillips playing, or even walking for that matter. And not for his teammates, who dedicated the game to him and were devastated they had lost it.

"I've come to the realization that I'm not going to play football anymore during my senior year," said Phillips, who was left temporarily paralyzed from the neck down after bruising his spine in a game Sept. 5 against Centennial.

"But it's good to be home, and I'll be back," said Phillips, 17. "A victory in the Henderson Bowl is all I wanted. Now, it's to walk at graduation."

Green Valley defensive back Derrick Stevens was the first person to console Phillips after his team's loss.

"Seeing LaQuan like that (in tears) makes you sick," Stevens said. "All I could do is apologize. We could have done better."

Though he could not play, Phillips kept his promise to be at the game. And, with the exception of the outcome, it was a memorable evening. He proudly wore his No. 3 jersey and letterman's jacket, and his presence seemed to boost his teammates' confidence.

Phillips was honored before the game by host Basic, whose players lined up after the coin toss and welcomed him at midfield. Each player shook his hand as the fans cheered.

Basic administrators presented Phillips with a $2,000 check, money raised by students to help his family.

As his brother LaVaughn Simon pushed him up and down the sidelines during the game, Phillips intently watched each play as if he were on the field. He cheered and shouted words of encouragement.

"This is my game. I love it," Phillips said. "Playing or not, this is the best feeling."

After he scored a touchdown in the first quarter to give Green Valley a 7-0 lead, teammate Quincy Bagsby raced over to Phillips with a simple message.

"That was for you, baby," Bagsby said.

Midway through the second quarter, several Green Valley students began chanting Phillips' initials and jersey number, and soon most of the crowd joined in.

It's these types of gestures, Phillips said, that have given him inspiration. He said he's close to walking and has regained enough balance to stand for a minute at a time.

Phillips left Nov. 1 to continue his therapy at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Sacramento with his new goal — walking with his classmates at graduation in June. He's taking correspondence courses at the hospital.

Simon, his older brother, has been there every step of the way and is amazed with his progress.

"It is just his heart. He's never going to give up," Simon said. "I'm happy and proud of his progress, but, at the same time, I expect it."

After the game, Phillips was greeted by a throng of well-wishers. He hung around until nearly all of the fans had left.

Basic quarterback Bobby Faiman came up and told Phillips he was praying for him and was glad to see him at the game.

"You're lucky I wasn't playing," Phillips jokingly said. "But, seriously, you deserve this. I'm happy for you."

Sports Editor Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or ray.brewer@hbcpub.com.