Phillips Academy Football Names State Champions

The Wendell Phillips Academy High School (pictured) foot ball team defeated Dunlap High School 33-7 and was named state champions in the Class 5A division.
The Wendell Phillips Academy High School (pictured) foot ball team defeated Dunlap High School 33-7 and was named state champions in the Class 5A division.

Phillips Academy Football Names State Champions

By: Katherine Newman

Wendell Phillips Academy High School in Bronzeville defeated Dunlap High school 33-7 on Nov. 25, earning them the title of state champions in the 5A Class Division.

Troy McAllister, head football coach at Phillips Academy, prepared for the big game by maintaining a normal routine for the student athletes.

“We have learned that if you can minimize distractions and disruptions, it really allows the young men to focus on being prepared for the game,” said McAllister.The high school celebrated the big win by holding a pep rally during the school day on Nov. 28. Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Alderman Pat Dowell were in attendance to congratulate the team.

“Congratulations to Wendell Phillips Academy High School for winning their second state football championship in three seasons! The Wildcats’ success on

the field is matched only by the academic strides Phillips Academy students have made in the classroom.

Chicago is proud of their success on and off the field and I want to congratulate the entire Phillips community on another sensational season.” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel in an official statement.

“It was a great experience and great for the young men to be recognized for their accomplishments,” said McAllister.

The pep rally gave the young men a chance to unwind after the big game and celebrate, as students, with their peers and teachers.

“Football is such a disciplined sport so for the young men, it’s an opportunity where they can kind of let their guard down and enjoy them selves,” said McAllister.

Going forward, Coach McAllister believes that winning a state championship this is a great motivation to get players back into practice next year and working

towards winning another state championship.

“I think wanting to go back and repeat is a motivation for the players,” McAllister said. “Especially the juniors that will be seniors, they wanna leave their senior years as state champs. That’s their motivation to push forward for next year.”

This is the second time in three years that the school has won the state championship in football. Wendell Phillips Academy High School is the oldest

African American high school in the city of Chicago.

For more information about the school, visit www.

phillips.auslchicago.org.

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