LAKE WORTH – Prior to this past season, not many outside of Park Vista knew much of anything about Adam Philp.
But the senior running back came to change the narrative for himself and his team in the process.
Our Co-Breakthrough Player of the Year for Public Schools had some truly inspiring moments on the field, many of which came in Week 4 of the regular season.
Let us take a look back at when the 5-foot-6, 175-pound running back earned our Breakthrough Player of Week 4 honor.
Philp had a perfect game of sorts in Park Vista’s 51-0 road win over Lake Worth on Sept. 17, 2021.
The senior running back only touched the ball for three plays. But he scored on all three of them.
“Adam had a great game,” Park Vista senior Shawn Estiverne said back in September 2021. “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 in Week 4 of this past season.
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.”
Philp would go on to finish his senior season with 453 all-purpose yards, seven total touchdowns, and 10 tackles in 10 games played for Park Vista.
Philp reflected on his Co-Breakthrough Player of the Year honor, who he will sharing with Palm Beach Central senior kicker/punter Juan Dominguez.
“I’m grateful to have received the honor,” Philp said. “It feels great knowing that I was recognized out of a lot of other athletes. But I wouldn’t have received the honor without my coaches and teammates. My performance on the field is the result of the standards and expectations they held me to.”
PLEASE NOTE: The other nominees for our Breakthrough Player of the Year – Public were Boca Raton senior athlete Artur Chageav and Pahokee junior linebacker Jacorris Foreman.
