ST. LOUIS — Cardinal Ritter senior Jared Phillips is making plays on both sides of the ball.

After leading the St. Louis area with eight interceptions last season, Phillips is back this season making plays all over the field. In Ritter’s season-opening 47-6 win over Soldan, Phillips had 55 yards rushing, 20 yards receiving and made four tackles on defense.

“I’m a game changer, I make plays and look good doing it,” Phillips said. “I’m a very exciting player to watch.”

Cardinal Ritter has a large and deep senior class and have high hopes for a big year after a .500 season in 2016.

“We have a very strong senior class with a lot of leadership and some young guys that are going to make a lot of plays,” Phillips said.

Phillips says he started playing football when he was 9-years old and played for the U City Soldiers.

“We had a lot of the top players in class of 2019 and we played a grade up,” he said.

Phillips says his high school coach, Brandon Gregory has had the biggest impact on his football career to date.

“Before he got there I was just playing football to play when he came I now have  a purpose and a goal I’m trying to achieve,” Phillips said.

A fan of Josh Norman, Phillips says he likes the NFL star’s style and tough play.

“Being a corner you have to be the toughest guy on the field at all times,” Phillips said. “Everybody won’t notice your good plays, but the play you mess up on everybody will notice.”

Phillips currently holds an offer from Northwestern Oklahoma and has drawn interest from Southern Illinois, Indiana State, Eastern Illinois and Missouri State.