“Big blue #72”
Mike Gimbert

When you talk about the Largo Packers, you’re talking about a hungry team with talent. When you talk about Largo, you know they will come at you every Friday night and give you a run for your money, both offensively and defensively. Largo is a team with excellent character, they’re a team with pride, and a team with a strong head coach with high expectations.

I decided since Largo is such a superior team, I would sit down and watch some game film of the mighty Packers offense. I came up with one exceptional reason why they’re so good. It’s not the running backs, it’s not the quarterback, and it’s not the wide outs (they’re all good too though). It’s the hungry, massive, trench winning offensive line, which plays solid as a unit.

For every team it all starts up front, ask any coach in the entire nation and they will play that back for you. The team with the most brutal, walloping, massive “big nasties,” usually will win the game, along with a stout defense and superb special teams.

While watching the team play on film, one big guy popped out to me that understands a thing or two about tormenting defensive lines. His name is Cellen Phillips, A/k/a “Big blue #72”. This tremendous, whopping monster plays right guard, and is the anchor of the sturdy offensive line that has helped Largo produce an eye-popping 160 rushing yds/game. That is a major formula for success. The BCP Ignite Combine scout has gone a long way since first turning out for the Packers varsity team four years ago.

He has helped Largo to two district titles in the last two years dating back to 2009. And has helped Largo produce 5,523 rushing yards over the last two years, which is an extraordinary average of 200 yards of rushing per game. The mighty Packers have a good air attack too, but no where near the talented running game that they pride their team on.

The 2012 prospect, Cellen, is an exceptional athlete that has wrestled and played soccer throughout his life. Cellen is an “all-out” athlete with a 2.7 G.P.A, and an extremely humble attitude. “If it was not for my coaches, I wouldn’t be anything if it wasn’t for them.” Cellen said on a telephone conference Sunday. Cellen prides his work ethic and motivation off of one guy: All-pro DE Julius Peppers. Julius is on the other side of the ball, but no matter what position you play you have to have exceptional work ethic and motivation. And Cellen has plenty of it.

Cellen and the Largo Packers are looking to continue their success this Friday night at home against Lakewood Ranch. They’re 5-2 as a team so far and are looking to finish out the rest of the season against some pretty talented teams. They have likely won their division (3-0 in conference games), but have two conference games left. As for “big blue #72,” well… He will just show you Friday night why they call him that.