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  • Globe File Ryon Phillips started six games and appeared in 10 as an undersized freshman defensive end for Missouri Southern in 2011.

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August 25, 2012

Ryon Phillips eager to get going for Lions

By Jim Henry Globe Sports Editor

Missouri Southern kicks off its football season at 7 p.m. Thursday against Central Oklahoma in Edmond.

And the time can’t fly fast enough for Lions defensive end Ryon Phillips.

“I want to go right now,” Phillips said after practice. “The days keep going down, but oh my gosh, I get chills thinking about it.

“You can be out here in practice, but it’s not the same if you’re not out there playing and grinding against another team and making plays. That’s the plan for the whole defense.”

Phillips, 6-foot-2, 230-pound sophomore, has added about 10 pounds since last season.

“Coming in as a freshman and weighing 220, out there against guys who weigh 310, 315 coming off the ball at me, that was pretty rough at the beginning of the season,” Phillips said. “It was hard to get used to at the beginning.

“I’ve only been in a three-point stance two years. My senior year in high school (in Royse City, Texas), I was an outside linebacker and they moved me to defensive end here. That was my first year ever playing D-line. I’ve retained things from last year, so it’s a lot easier for me to hold onto it and keep using it this year.”

Phillips eventually became a starter last season and made 31 total tackles, including 21 solo stops. He made 15.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage for losses totaling 70 yards, including six quarterback sacks for minus-39 yards.

Phillips ranked second on the defense behind tackle Brandon Williams’ 16 TFLs and eight sacks. Phillips certainly plans on cashing in his opportunities playing beside the two-time All-American Williams.

“It helps me a ton,” Phillips said. “They are going to be watching for him, so I hope that will open a few holes for me.”

Daryl Daye was introduced as the Lions’ head coach in December, and Phillips admitted playing for a second coach and second defensive coordinator (Jay Thomas) in as many years was a little like starting over.

“It was at first during spring,” Phillips said. “I was moved all the way down the depth chart. That was a little rough at first, but I guess everybody had to start over. And I was just a freshman, so I started off at the bottom and had to work my way back up.

“Man, this team has come so far. It might be two coaches in two years, but my gosh, this is going to be a good season.”

Phillips said the biggest difference from last year to this year is intensity.

“This coaching staff — Coach Daye and all the coaches he has brought in — they push you,” Phillips said. “Our other coaches, they pushed us, they did. But these guys are players’ coaches and they know what gets us moving. And they use it every day.

“I can’t say enough about this team that Coach Daye has helped put together recruiting-wise. These coaches, I love them all to death.”

The Lions have been learning a new defensive scheme.

“It’s a very complex defense,” Phillips said. “I don’t have the same responsibilities all the time. I’m switching up a lot. You have to be smart, you have to pay attention, you have to study to know what you’re doing. It’s going to be great. Those offenses will never know what they have coming.”

So, will Phillips be rushing part of the time and dropping back in coverage other times?

Who knows?” Phillips said with a grin, refusing to give away any secrets. “Maybe. Maybe.

“We have leaders all over the defense. We’re strong, quick, precise. We know what we’re doing, a lot of stuff for other offenses to look out for.

“And our offense is going to hold onto the ball and keep us going. Defense, all we’re going to have to do is get a three-and-out a few times a game because our offense is going to be holding onto the ball the whole time.”

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