Luft, Eagles teammates will have memories for lifetime

Phillip Luft’s athletic roots run deep in the St. John and Endicott communities.

“My grandpa was in athletics, my dad, both my brothers and sisters have all been involved,” he said.

His father quarterbacked Endicott. Grandfather Augie is etched on the Codger Pole, erected in Colfax to commemorate the 50-year reunion game between players from 1938 St. John and Colfax football teams.

Now Phillip has his place in town lore after helping St. John-Endicott last week to its first State 1B football championship. The third-generation Luft rushed for more than 3,200 yards during the Eagles’ 13-1 season, including 158 in the team’s 12-6 title victory over Lummi. A standout linebacker as well, he made the game-ending stop to a bit of Lummi desperation razzle-dazzle, falling on the ball to preserve the Eagles’ lead.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had that much adrenaline flowing through my veins,” said Luft, “knowing I made the final tackle for the state championship.”

Luft said that he and the majority of this year’s team are from Endicott. They combined to bring the school its first official state football title in its second championship appearance.

What was it like setting foot inside the Tacoma Dome?

“It was amazing to see the size of the audience,” Luft said. “It almost seemed like a professional or college game. It was so loud it echoed in there.”

What struck him was the warmth after being outside during November’s frigid playoffs. When he broke free for an early 84-yard touchdown run, Luft thought the game was going to be easy. Instead it wound up as the lowest-scoring 8-man football final in tournament history.

“The way our defense stepped up was amazing,” he said. “We haven’t been known for defense all year.”

Having played sports since third grade and knowing the level of talent in the area, Luft figured that winning a state title was a possibility when players from St. John and Endicott joined together in seventh grade.

“We felt we had the talent coming in and felt we had something special,” he said. “We decided to try and get there. It was a goal we all had,” he said.

Luft averaged nearly 229 rushing yards per game. The team’s only loss came during the regular season to the four-time defending champions, LaCrosse-Washtucna.

Last weekend left players with memories to last a lifetime.

“It was an amazing atmosphere with people running from the stands to congratulate us,” Luft said. “It was great to make history and see the support and looks on everyone’s faces.”