What he did: Phillips was the Monarchs’ offense in a 29-0 Central District victory over Matoaca. He carried the ball 14 times for 259 yards and four touchdowns. The TD runs (62, 20, 86 and 21) totaled 189 yards. Phillips, a 5-7, 160-pound junior, has 970 yards on 109 carries, an average of 8.9. He’s the Central Region’s leading scorer with 21 touchdowns. Age: 16 Other sports: Track. His events are the 100, 200 and long jump (sixth at the state outdoor meet). Favorite thing besides sports: “Dance.“ Three words his friends would use to describe him: “Funny, unique, crazy.“ Strengths: “Heart, talent running the ball.“ Working to improve: “Reading the holes better.“ Biggest challenge: “Reading the blocks and the holes better.“ Best sports memory: “When I made all-state in track [last spring].“ Sports person he admires most: “Walter Payton.“ Favorite food: Burgers Pet peeve: “Not knowing the plays (he and teammates).“ Possession he can’t do without: “My mom and dad.“ If he had one wish: “Find a cure for cancer.“ One thing about you most people don’t know: “That I can dance.“ - Arthur Utley

Early season football matchups featuring playoff-caliber teams continue this week with No.6 Thomas Dale traveling to No.1 Varina and No.2 Meadowbrook playing host to No.4 Hermitage. This isn’t the first time these teams have played each other. “We want to play the best opponents,“ veteran Thomas Dale coach Vic Williams said. “It’s a challenge for the preparation, for the kids and for the coaches. It’s what we like to do. That’s why we schedule these games.“

Troy Taylor was emotionally drained. The sweat on his face glistened from the glow of the Friday night lights. He had nothing left to give, but he could hardly conceal his ecstasy. Moments earlier, the final horn had sounded ending the wild and wooly non-district matchup between Meadowbrook and Highland Springs, and his Monarchs had battled their way to a 36-32 victory on the road.

Sara Hurwitch birdied two of her first six holes and played steady golf thereafter to seize a two-shot lead after yesterday’s first round of the VSGA Women’s Stroke Play Championship at Meadowbrook Country Club. Hurwitch, a resident of Potomac Falls and a rising senior at the University of Kentucky, finished her first of three rounds on the 5,723-yard Meadowbrook course in 2-under-par 69. She was the only player to post red numbers.

An honorable-mention all-Central District selection as a junior, Doug Brewer could’ve chosen to sulk when his coach decided he would be more valuable to his team coming off the bench this season. Instead, Meadowbrook’s 6-2 senior embraced the new role and tried to make the best of it. Brewer played it to perfection last night, scoring 12 of his game-high 18 points in the first half as the visiting Monarchs overcame a slow start and cruised past Cosby 77-47 in a first-round Central Region tournament game.

What he did: Simmons, a 6-0 junior guard, was the most valuable player in the Henrico Holiday Hoops tournament after leading the Monarchs to the title. He scored 37 points in the three victories, including 20 against Monacan in the quarterfinals, but it was his floor leadership and other contributions that spearheaded the Monarchs, who moved into the T-D Top 10 this week. He averages 3.5 assists and 2.2 steals. Age: 16 Three words your friends would use to describe you: “Funny, outgoing, cool.“ Strengths: “Driving to the basket and dishing the ball off; leadership.“ I’m working to improve: “My shooting, not over dribbling and defense.“ Toughest opponent other than yourself: “Coach [Ksaan] Brown. He knows I’m capable of doing good.“ Favorite food: Chicken Favorite candy: Sour Patch Best sports memory: “Last year, when our two leading scorers didn’t play in a game [Midlothian], I scored 25 points [a career high] and we won.“ Biggest challenge: “Trying to make the state tournament. Coach has put a lot of emphasis on that.“ If he had one wish: “To go to the University of North Carolina.“ Possession you can’t do without: “My shoes [Jordans].“ What’s on your iPod: “Kanye West, Li’l Wayne, T.I.“ Facebook or MySpace: MySpace One thing about you most people don’t know: “When coaches scout me, they think I’m left-handed, but I’m not.“ Sports person you admire the most: “LeBron James.“ - Arthur Utley

Both scrappy teams, Meadowbrook and Hermitage fought hard all night, sacrificing bodies slamming into walls, chairs, doors and the scoring table and risking fouls. But in the final six minutes, the Monarchs pulled ahead for a 69-54 victory in the Henrico Holiday Hoops tournament final.

Ruthanne Doherty scored 10 second-quarter points and helped key a dominant defensive effort that gave third-ranked L.C. Bird a 43-33 win over sixth-ranked Meadowbrook in last night’s first round of the Times-Dispatch Invitational Tournament.

About 20 Meadowbrook High School parents complained to school officials last night about a plan to move some Meadowbrook students to L.C. Bird High School next fall. Under a redistricting proposal put forth by the Chesterfield County school system, about 100 students from Ampthill Gardens, Kingsland Glen and Kings Forest neighborhoods would be transferred to Bird, which is undergoing an expansion slated to be completed in the spring.

Chesterfield County school officials have scheduled a meeting for tonight to hear from parents and students in three neighborhoods where students could be transferred from Meadowbrook High School to L.C. Bird High School. Ampthill Gardens, Kingsland Glen and Kings Forest are part of a redistricting proposal tied to a $4.5 million expansion at Bird slated to be completed in the spring.

High school football playoffs schedules.