17th Annual “Battle of Paulding” In Memory of Coach Ken Phillips was played on Friday, September 9 th with HHS hosting PCHS

Paulding County High School Patriots was presented the revolving “Battle” trophy on September 9th with a come from behind win in OT of 27-21 over Hiram High School Hornets. Both teams gave 110% in this OT “Battle” and it was a nail biter until the end. This is the 1 st year for the “Battle” game with the Hornets out of a two year stint.

L to R: HHS AD Andy Dorsey, HHS Principal Misty Cooksey, HHS Head Coach Chris Brown, Coach Ken Phillips grandson Kent Gresham, Coach Ken Phillips wife Annelle Phillips, HHS MVP #15 Kevin Cole, PCHS MVP #17 Brantley Mauldin, PCHS Head Coach Van Spence, PCHS AD Jamie Watkins and PCHS Principal Craig Wilcox (holding the Battle trophy). Photo Credit: Michelle Samples, Studio23B

A brief history of how the “Battle” came about in Paulding County. The “Battle of Dallas” was established in 1999 between East Paulding High School and Paulding County High School to honor Coach Ken Phillips. Coach Phillips passed from this life on August 7, 2005 (his grandson, Kent, was born 3 years later on August 7, 2008). When the “Battle of Dallas” tradition began, the District had only two high schools. The Battle of Dallas was played from 1999 – 2007 with Paulding County High School versus East Paulding High School. Since the District has grown to five high schools, the name changed to the “Battle of Paulding”. In 2008, The “Battle of Paulding” was established to carry on the legacy of Coach “Big Daddy” Ken Phillips and his beliefs about the game of life. At the end of the “Battle” both teams gather at the 50 yard line for a presentation from Coach Phillips wife Annelle, and daughter Kenelle. Coach Phillips grandchildren, Kent and Kenzie Jay Gresham present the MVP trophies and the revolving “Battle” trophy to the head coach and principal. “Big Daddy,” as his players lovingly referred to him, was head coach for a record 90 games at PCHS and led the program to its first winning season in 1980. His tenure at Paulding was nine seasons (1977-80; 1985-89), a mark no one in the history of the program at PCHS has surpassed. In August of 2005, the field house at Paulding County High School was named in honor of Coach Phillips. He taught life lessons and touched thousands of lives in a way that made everyone around him a better person. At the end of every football game, win or lose, he always told his boys to go home and tell your mom and dad you love them. Paulding County teams continue to honor “Big Daddy’s” memory by carrying on life-long traditions he established a decade ago. Coach Phillips has left a legacy in Paulding County that will live on in his players for years to come.