Kaneland’s Corey Phillips wins the Week 5 Team of the Week MVP

MAPLE PARK – Corey Phillips has three elements down that are key for any successful running back.

Run hard. Run fast. And credit your offensive linemen.

The Kaneland junior running back did his part last Friday, continuing a stellar spring season by running for 199 yards and three touchdowns in the Knights’ 44-14 win over Ottawa.

Phillips was voted the Friday Night Drive Team of the Week MVP with 321 votes, beating out runner-up Sean Allison of Hinsdale Central. A total of 7,075 votes were cast for the Team of the Week.

Phillips was presented his MVP belt, sponsored by Schweickert, Ganassin, Krzak, Rundio, LLP., at Tuesday’s practice in front of his teammates and coaches. Phillips then answered a few questions from Kane County Chronicle sports editor Joshua Welge.

First off, tell me about that game last week. You’ve had other big games, but that was a pretty good one, right?

Phillips: It was pretty good, it was good blocking by the offensive line. We have some really talented seniors on that offensive line, including All-State Sam Pryor. They’ve been really good all year and they’ve been really consistent. They’ve been helping our team to success. They’re a really good group of guys on both sides of the ball. They’ve been lights out all year.

What’s it like running behind those guys? Sam is a pretty large human being.

Phillips: It’s just amazing how well they create space . The holes are really huge from how physical they are. We have one of the most physical lines in the state. They’re just blowing kids out. It’s a sight to see.

What kinds of expectations did you have for yourself going into the season?

Phillips: I saw that this offensive line would be really good so I had to make the most of the opportunity. I knew that from when I was an underclassmen that I could do this if I worked hard enough. The situation with the offensive line, they’re a really hard-working group of guys. I just made sure to make the most of my opportunities each week.

What kind of growth have you guys made over the course of this season? Obviously the first week you faced a really tough Sycamore team but you haven’t lost since.

Phillips: We basically just stopped making mental errors. We’ve made sure to take care of the ball, to play as a team, to do our job as a teammate to help our team win.

What kind of a running back do you think you are?

Phillips: I think I can do it all. I can block if you need me to, I can catch out of the backfield if you need me to, I can be physical if you need me to be, I can run outside, I can do whatever coach wants me to do. I think I can do almost everything pretty well.

Are there any running backs that you like watching at the next level?

Phillips: I like to watch Alvin Kamara, Saquon Barley and a little bit of Derrick Henry, but I’m not his playing style.

You have a good, tough game to end the season Friday night, playing LaSalle-Peru. What do you think of that? How nice would it be to finish the season with a win against a good team like that?

Phillips: It would be really good to finish the season with a win, it would give us a lot of confidence going into the offseason and send the seniors out on a good high note. Even though there’s no playoffs it would be a season to remember for a long time.