AOTW: Service’s brotherly duo leads Cougars to Week 1 victory against South Anchorage

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The Service Cougars defeated the South Anchorage Wolverines 32-7 on Saturday, keeping the South Side Cup in house for the third year in a row.

Starting in his first career varsity game, 15-year-old Cougars quarterback Taurian Phillip shook off his pregame jitters to throw three touchdowns and ran in another, showing the skills of a veteran, not a first-timer.

“Before the game, I was very nervous,” Phillip said. “I was like ‘Ok, this is my first varsity game. I don’t want to mess anything up. When I threw that first pass, I was feeling amazing, knowing my teammates were around me, supporting me. I could get through it as long as I had my teammates.”

The first of Taurian’s three touchdowns would end up being the most meaningful of the bunch for the Service Sophomore, dropping a dime right into the hands of Junior Receiver Cassidy Phillip, a varsity veteran and the brother of the Cougars’ newest signal caller.

“I was dreaming of throwing the first touchdown to my brother. It was an amazing feeling,” Taurian said.

“I’m really happy, not only was that touchdown for my brother, but it was my first offensive touchdown on varsity,” Cassidy said. “I think it was a special moment.”

Taking time to relish in the celebration with one another, Cassidy also said it was a play that might not have become reality.

“This is our first year playing on the same team. To be honest, I didn’t think he was going to be on varsity with me, because there was other options,” Cassidy said. “But I think it’s very important that he’s on this team with me.”

From a possibility to now immediate presence, the pair have cherished each moment.

“I’m like, ‘Dude, we gotta come up with a handshake,’” Cassidy said. “We gotta ball out this season going for that [championship].”

Defeating a Wolverines squad that finished as the runner-up in the 2023 Div. I playoffs, the Phillip brothers say this is just the start, telling teams around the state to be prepared when they line up against the green and gold.

“Be ready for us. We’re here and we’re here to play,” Taurian said. “We’re coming for that championship.”

“Our stats don’t matter as long as the team has success and we come down with the win,” Cassidy said.

Service continues the season this weekend against Juneau-Douglas. A win would mark the Cougars’ first 2-0 start since 2019.

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