Prince Avenue QB Aaron Philo might be 'just a sophomore’ but he's putting up big numbers

Prince Avenue lost the first game of the Wolverines' post-Brock Vandagriff era.

The offense that averaged more than 40-points per game in the state championship season a year ago put up just 13 points in an 8-point loss to Calvary Day.

Starting in Vandagriff’s place was sophomore Aaron Philo. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound 16-year-old quarterback looked the part, but his statline allowed doubt to creep in among PACS fans and critics across the state. He threw for 270 yards, completed 26 of his 45 passes and threw a touchdown, but the four interceptions doomed the Wolverines.

Could he bounce back? Is the Prince Avenue streak of deep playoff runs over? Who else can the Wolverines turn to at quarterback?

Philo heard the criticism and rather than wallow in the lofty expectations, he used it as motivation and put together nine straight wins to close out the regular season. He broke records, including some created by Vandagriff, and ended the regular season as the second-best passer in all of Georgia high school football.

“I felt like a lot of people doubted me after our first game,” Philo said. “It was a bad performance and so the CAK game helped prove people wrong.”

The “CAK'' reference the sophomore made was the second game of the season, against Christian Academy of Knoxville. Philo broke Vandagriff’s single-game passing record by putting up 557 yards against one of the top teams in Tennessee. He threw five touchdowns and rushed for another two scores. The Wolverines won 59-18.

That type of performance is the one that has defined Philo’s first year as a starter and led PACS to a second-straight region title.

Since the season-opening loss, Philo has thrown 34 touchdowns, 2,784 yards and just four interceptions.

He’s a competitor, which is what he tells college recruiters and teammates. It shows on and off the field.

More: Prince Avenue locks up 1-seed in playoffs with road win against Athens Christian

Take for example the regular season finale against Athens Christian. Philo was critical after the win, a game that held no significance other than giving both teams an opportunity to get another tuneup before playoffs started the following week.

“We were a little slow and I feel like we didn’t play our best,” the sophomore said. “It’s a little disappointing how we played offensively. That can’t happen in the playoffs. We have to play better.”

Based on his postgame assessment, you’d have no idea he went 20-of-28 for 316 yards, scored a touchdown, averaged 15.6 yards per reception and Prince won 44-15.

Philo strives for perfection. His coach appreciates that side of Philo, but understands that perfection in football isn’t a reality.

Asked where Philo has improved most as the season has gone on, PACS head coach Greg Vandagriff is quick in his answer.

“Just his maturity,” Vandagriff said. “He’s keeping his eyes downfield and understands what we’re trying to accomplish. He’s just a sophomore, he’s going to make mistakes, but he’s done a great job and is probably going to end up as the No. 2 passer in the state in the regular season.”

What they’re trying to accomplish is another state championship win. The path is there, as the Wolverines are already into the second round of the GHSA A-Private playoffs after a forfeit from King’s Ridge. If things go their way, Philo and Vandagriff will have an opportunity to avenge their lone loss of the season with a semifinal meeting against Calvary Day, who ended the year undefeated.

More: Prince Avenue's first-round opponent forfeits playoff game. Here's what we know

There’s still three games until a possible trip to Savannah for the rematch.

Philo’s going to enjoy the next month of football.

“I like winning,” Philo said. “I love coming out here every Friday night and playing with these guys. It’s a lot of fun.”

‘When the time comes’

Philo enjoys fishing. His proudest feat was a 7-pound largemouth and he loves going to his grandparents pond in Jackson County.

It’s peaceful and a nice break from the hustle and bustle of football.

Unfortunately for Philo though, he hasn’t been able to fish much on the weekends this fall.

Many of his weekends have been spent on college campuses, attending college football games on recruiting trips.

He’s visited Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and most recently Auburn for the Tigers’ upset-win of Mississippi on Oct. 30.

“I loved the atmosphere,” Philo said of Auburn. “The hospitality was great. The fans were great. The stadium was amazing.”

Philo’s recruiting pitch is simple: “I have a strong arm and I love to win.”

The sophomore quarterback has several former teammates and coaches assisting in his recruiting journey, including a local star who has been there since the beginning.

Former PACS quarterback Brock Vandagriff, who signed with UGA as a five-star recruit and the No. 4 in the 2021 recruiting class, took Philo under his wing last season.

“Last year is when we really started to become friends because I was a freshman and he was a senior,” Philo said. “That was our first time together so we kind of became good buddies. He’s kind of like a big brother to me.”

The two talk often, about recruitment, about the current season, about school, about life, whatever. Philo said their relationship has gotten better since Vandagriff started at UGA.

“Brock’s been there a little bit and he knows the journey (Philo) is about to go on, so he can keep him calm,” Greg Vandagriff said. “There’s a sense of understanding. (Brock) can help him foresee the future as well as understand what’s going on today.”

And what’s going on today is the beginning of a state championship run.

Philo and his teammates are ready for whatever the playoffs might throw at them.

“I try not to worry about the future and just live in the present,” Philo said. “I have to enjoy it right now. Have to live right now. When the time comes, the time comes.”

McClain Baxley is a recruiting reporter for the Athens Banner-Herald and the USA TODAY Network. Reach him by email at mbaxley@onlineathens.com or on Twitter at @mcclainbaxley.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Under Brock Vandagriff's guidance, Aaron PACS QB Philo leaves his mark