The High School Football Rudy Awards 12 finalists announced

Phillip Madriaga
5-6, 150, senior
'Aiea ('Aiea, Hawaii) Na Ali'i
Vote for Phillip

Madriaga was nominated by coach Wendell Say. "Last year two weeks before the state semifinal game, Phillip got hit really hard during practice and was taken to the hospital," Say said. "Phillip was diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis, an injury to his spine. He was advised that his football playing days were over, because if he were to get hit very hard again, he would be confined to a wheelchair. Phillip is an inspiration to not only me, but to his teammates, classmates, friends, family members, and community both on and off the field." For his senior project he is doing a football clinic for students with special needs. Madriaga has said that after sitting out his senior year, he was able to learn about coaching from his coaches and he felt that doing a football clinic for physically and mentally challenged students would be a good way to give back to a sport that he loves so much, and that has given him so much.