By Michael Graybeal

Sports Editor­­

After an outstanding football career at Ashe County High School, Buster Phillips, a senior this year, has announced that he has signed his National Letter of Intent to play football at Catawba College beginning this upcoming fall.

Phillips, a two-year Mountain Valley Athletic Conference All-Conference selection for defense and offense, along with a spot on the Honorable Mention squad this past season for punting, was recruited by the Indians coaching staff as an offensive fullback. Phillips grew up through the football ranks in Ashe County with his football career starting in third grade in the Ashe Youth Football League. Phillips competed in the AYFL for four years, then moved on to Ashe County Middles School for two years, and then transitioned into high school play at Ashe County High School.

In his first three years of high school, Phillips was a key role in various Husky athletic programs, as he was a competitor on the wrestling squad, and participated in baseball in the spring. However, for his senior year, Phillips decided to focus primarily on football, and since the completion of the season, has dedicated a majority of his free time to conditioning and working out.

The recruiting process began during the fall when the Indians’ coaching staff contacted Phillips and his father Tom about Phillips potentially playing for the Indians.

Catawba College is located in Salisbury and was founded in 1851, and features 18 NCAA Division II sports that compete in the South Atlantic Conference.

Phillips’ father, Tom Phillips, commented on his son’s signing to play for Catawba by stating: “I am extremely proud! Catawba is a great education place, which is what is important, but they also have a great football program, as they are always atop their conference.”

Phillips was raised in West Jefferson by his father Tom, and his grandmother Mary Phillips also helped in his upraising.