HOT SPRINGS, Va. – Our Camp Tour rolls to the Highlands where Bath County alum Jake Phillips has returned as head coach. Phillips is no stranger to winning, he helped lead Bath to a state title in 2001, finishing his high school career with nearly 10,000 yards of offense before heading to William and Mary.
The Chargers haven’t had a winning season since Alleghany head coach Will Fields was in charge, but Phillips is confident in the heart of the team, and the pride they have in putting Hot Springs back on the map.
“The biggest selling point for me was to be back and be around these kids and help them in any way that I possibly can. To see them grow, not just as football players but as young men and eventually be good husbands and good fathers and great people in the community,” Phillips said. “That’s what I’m looking to do, not just give back to the kids, but the high school and the community, this place has given so much to me over the years, it felt right to give back.”
“He’s really helped improve the team’s attitudes and the overall outcome of the team this year and he’s really put the mindset we needed into the season,” junior Hunter Waldeck said. “We have the heart it takes, Coach brought it with him, passed it onto us, and we got what it takes now.”
Bath County opens their season on Friday August 26th at home against Covington.