Jackson Touchdown Club honors MRA quarterback
After leading Madison-Ridgeland Academy to its first state championship in 15 years, quarterback Philip Short's list of honors keeps growing.
After being named as the most valuable player from the Patriot's 34-22 win over Jackson Prep in the championship, Short last week picked up the Jackson Touchdown Club's 2019 Player of the Year Award.
"Blessed to be recognized as the Jackson Touchdown Club Player of the Year!" Short posted to Twitter shortly after receiving the award. "What a humbling experience to be recognized as one of the top players in the state of Mississippi in both Public and/or Private School. This award could not be obtained without MRA's phenomenal team and staff!"
Short, who was named the league's Offensive Player of the Year for a second straight year, earlier this season became the school record holder in career passing yardage and career touchdown passes. He added a third school record to his resume in on the biggest stage, completing 28 of 40 pass attempts for a single-game record 593 yards against Jackson Prep in the championship game - breaking the old mark of 505 established by Matt Porter.
Short finished his senior campaign with 3,545 passing yards and 37 touchdown passes with just five interceptions. After transferring from Northwest Rankin High School following his sophomore year, he threw for 6,568 passing yards and 71 touchdowns in two seasons at MRA.
"He's the perfect kind of kid we want in our program," MRA coach Herbert Davis said Tuesday. "He came in and was almost immediately named a captain for us. He's well-liked among his teammates and God matters in his life. He's just fun to be around, always smiling and having a good time."
Up next for Short is a decision on where to play his college ball.
Davis said playing so late into the season might have put Short behind when it comes to the recruiting circuit, but that he believed his quarterback is going to be a player for someone eventually.
"I get frustrated," Davis said. "He wasn't really on anyone's radar in his junior season, but he has gotten a lot better, especially with his fundamentals, and he finished so well.
"Hopefully someone will take a chance on him, because we put a lot of decision making on him and he handled it well. He's got a great arm and throws deep ball better than I've seen, can move the pocket with his feet and he's well over 6-feet tall."
In the mean time, Short and five of his teammates are slated to play in the MAIS All-Star game this Friday. The other Patriots honored include wide receiver/defensive back Joe Perkins, who recently de-committed from the University of Colorado, tight end/linebacker Willie Latham, wide receiver/defensive back Russ Sceroler, defensive end/offensive lineman Brendan Butler and receiver Tyler Starnes.
Tri-County Academy, which finished runner-up in 4A with a loss to Riverfield Academy in the championship game two weeks ago, had three players selected: quarterback/linebacker Cade Shepherd, center Rylan Griffith and tailback/linebacker Dillon Hendrick.
Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. Friday at Jackson Prep.