Golden Valley star has broken school rushing records, but still chasing first playoff game
Jabari Phillips has shredded the Golden Valley High rushing record books during his three-year varsity career.
Phillips broke the previous career rushing record that belonged to A.C. McGee (2,908) yards earlier this season. Phillips has 3,443 career yards and counting.
Phillips also broke former Cougars great Davy Malaythong’s career rushing touchdowns of 32. Phillips five touchdowns last game against Central Valley brought his career total to 40.
Phillips has also had the most 100-yard games in school history, eclipsing the century mark 17 times in his career.
He still has at least three games to add to those totals. “Honestly, it means a lot,” he said. “I’m not quite sure who was on the list before me but playing varsity for three years and picking up some school records is a blessing. I couldn’t have done it without my teammates, especially my offensive line.”
The records are special, but Phillips is chasing another goal: He’s never played in a playoff game.
Chasing another goal
The Cougars made the playoffs his sophomore year but he was injured at the end of the season and couldn’t play in the 61-14 loss to Sierra in 2019.
Phillips is hoping he and his teammates can experience the postseason for the first time in his last high school season. That makes this Friday’s matchup against Patterson (7-2 overall, 4-0 Central California Conference) a monumental game for Golden Valley (3-3, 2-0 CCC).
“It’s our biggest game of the season,” Phillips said. “Winning this game would give us a chance to do something that hasn’t been done at Golden Valley in 15 years.”
The Cougars haven’t won a CCC championship since 2005. A win over Patterson would keep that goal in play with two final games against El Capitan and Merced left on the schedule.
“Winning CCC or going to the playoffs would be huge accomplishments,” Phillips said.
Golden Valley coach Rick Martinez says it’s important that the Cougars have something to play for this late in the season.
“We like being in meaningful games,” Martinez said. “Hopefully the Merced game means something at the end other than just bragging rights. It’s exciting to see the team develop and get back in contention. Patterson is going to be a challenge. They are big and athletic.”
Workhorse back
Phillips is going to do everything he can to keep the Cougars in playoff contention. He’s rushed for 1,239 yards and 15 touchdowns in just six games this season.
Golden Valley coach Rick Martinez said it’s been great coaching Phillips the past three years.
“The big question is, would Jabari be ready to take the reins as a sophomore?” Martinez said. “He proved early that year he was ready. I think we knew after our scrimmage that we’d be OK.
“I think he’s business-like. He’s not really vocal, he’s not a big hype guy. He just gets after it when the whistle blows.”
Phillips has drawn interest from colleges like UC Davis, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Chadron State and St. Norbet College.
Martinez says Phillips has all the attributes great running backs usually have: balance, vision, acceleration and strength.
“In the system we’ve run — even when I was back in Le Grand — the running back is going to get 25 to 30 carries,” Martinez said. “The challenge was to get him in shape so he can carry the ball 25 or 30 times.”
Phillips has been up to the challenge.
“Everyone on the team working hard,” Phillips said. “Our linemen are working every single day. That’s the reason I’ve been able to put up those numbers.”
Friday’s games
Golden Valley at Patterson
Buhach Colony at Merced
Central Valley at Atwater
Livingston at Modesto Christian
Hughson at Hilmar
Los Banos at Ceres
Mountain House at Pacheco
Gustine at Le Grand
Delhi at Denair
Mariposa at Ripon Christian
Firebaugh at Dos Palos
Chowchilla at Yosemite
Saturday
Stone Ridge Christian at Delta Charter
