By Mark Schmerling

Only five South Carolina women have scored points in high school varsity football games.
Landrum’s Hannah Phillips is not only one of those; she’s the first and still the only Cardinal to do so, as a place-kicker in the 2013 season. And she’s back in 2014 vowing to be even better.
Phillips could easily be mistaken for just another rather shy teenager but beneath that exterior lies a determined athlete.  Being part of an athletic family is another plus for her. But how did she wind up being a trendsetter, and one in a rough sport?
“My dad always wanted me to play,” Phillips said. Also, she has two brothers — Luke, 19, and Silas, 12, both of whom play football. But due to kidney issues Silas will have to give up football and compete in cross-country and track, where hard impact is much less likely.
“He could be a kicker but he really wants to hit”, said Hanna Phillips. Fortunately, “He also likes to run.” In high school Luke pole-vaulted and played football.
But, still, how did Hannah get onto the field in a Cardinal football uniform? In high school, her dad, Kelvin, played football alongside future (now former) Landrum head coach Russell Mahaffey. Last year, Mahaffey was still at the helm, when Hannah approached him. “I asked could I play,” she said. “I was really nervous. I’m a shy person.”
She need not have worried “Coach Mahaffey said yes right away.” His decision was not based on favors but because Phillips knew how to kick a ball. “I played soccer ever since I was four,” she said. In fact, she plays soccer for the Cardinals’ women’s team in the spring, and hopes to earn a college soccer scholarship.
Phillips was not an instant success at the varsity level; in fact, she played on the JV squad for much of last season. “It didn’t go well in the beginning,” Phillips admitted. “But, I got better. A combination of nervousness and relative inexperience (at booting footballs) were factors initially. Part of the nervousness, Phillips said was that she would disappoint the crowd. But her skill and determination won out. I decided to block that out, and do the best I could.
What is it like being a target for big, strong, heavy opponents when she’s about to kick the ball through the uprights?
Credit her teammates; especially the offensive line who do everything it takes to keep her safe. ‘“I was uncomfortable at first, Phillips said,” “But, they protect me.” Another positive factor is Cardinal quarterback Jacob Corn, who is also a very good holder on her kicks.
Placekicking on the junior varsity level was challenging enough mentally, but moving to varsity was more so. “I was really scared,” Phillips admitted. But when her teammates promised to protect her, “that eased my nervousness”.
One key to easing her nervousness is practice. This past summer Phillips attended 
Carolina Football (soccer) Club camp where coaches helped her hone her skills. Her placekicking had already progressed to the point where ”football has helped me with soccer.” At the camp, she said, “I worked on the skills I needed to be better in the soccer season.”
Phillips hopes that her soccer skills take her beyond high school. “I want to play soccer in college,” she said. “I want to get a scholarship. I’m hoping that they see that I can kick a football and they’ll look at me for soccer.”
Things got a bit easier for Phillips on the Cardinals’ football team with the addition of another woman — Sarah Sprouse. Among other things it means to Phillips, “I don’t have to sit alone.” Man or woman, place-kickers are always under the fans’ microscope.
Does playing in front of crowds make Phillips nervous? “Kind of (and) kind of not,” she replied. “They want me to meet their expectations. I don’t want them to think bad(ly) of me.” One way to ease stress is to boot the ball between the uprights, and put points on the board for one’s team. “When you make that first one,” Phillips noted, “you want to build on it.”
Does this quietly daring player have any advice for others? “Always follow your dreams, no matter who’s judging you.”