LAKE WORTH – Adam Philp had a perfect game of sorts in Park Vista’s 51-0 road win over Lake Worth on Sept. 17.

The senior running back only touched the ball for three plays. But he scored on all three of them.

This fact was enough for the rising star to earn our Breakthrough Player of Week 4 honor.

“Adam had a great game,” Park Vista senior Shawn Estiverne said. “He really put the momentum and set the standard for us going against Lake Worth. And he had something to prove to the county because he is a slept-on running back.”

Let’s go over how Philp’s performance came about.

The first rushing score for Philp appeared to be a 10-yard run to the end zone. It came on Park Vista’s first offensive drive of the game against Lake Worth.

“The blocked punt by our special teams put us in a good position to get us in the end zone,” Philp said. “I capitalized when my number was called.”

Philp’s second touchdown run also came in the first quarter, as he had another 10-harder to the end zone. His score helped Park Vista extend its lead to 21-0.

“I scored my second touchdown after my teammate [junior running back] Jordan [Clemons] was able to get us in good field position as well,” Philp said. “The chemistry we have is through the roof, and we’re one family. That’s how it happened there.”

And then Philp’s third rushing touchdown happened when Park Vista conducted its first offensive series of the second half. It was a 21-yard run to the end zone that helped Park Vista get a 44-0 lead over Lake Worth at this point.

Philp went on to account for three of Park Vista’s seven touchdowns of the game.

“I’m proud that my hard work isn’t going unnoticed,” Philp said. “In all honesty, I really owe this achievement to my coaches and my teammates. Most importantly my offensive line, because I’m running behind the best offensive line in the county. Without them, I don’t make the plays or score the touchdowns.”

Park Vista linebackers coach Rufus Thomas lauded Philp’s performance against Lake Worth.

“That was a good game for Adam,” Thomas said. “Adam has so much more to him. When Adam trusts the process and what the coaches are trying to get him to see and do, he will be unstoppable. He is already a tough runner to take down.”

NOTES: The other four scores came from senior quarterback Brock Hansel, who completed 10 of 12 passes for 200 yards and four touchdowns.

Park Vista (3-0) won its first District 8-8A game of the season. The other three district games are against Santaluces (0-4) in Week 6, Forest Hill (2-2) in Week 8, and John I. Leonard (1-3) in Week 10.

The District 8-8A winner will automatically earn a Class 8A playoff spot in November.