National Signing Day: Best friends from Mount Si sign at same university - Central Washington University
SNOQUALMIE, Wash. - This is a happy next-chapter installment to a story that has been going on for years.
When Beau Phillips and his family moved into town, two of the first kids he met were Brock Gates and Cooper Britton.
They all played together in youth football - and became best friends.
And now, they will all be playing at Central Washington University starting next fall after graduating from Mount Si High School this spring.
Phillips, the 4A KingCo offensive player of the year at running back, and Gates - a first-team 4A KingCo inside linebacker, signed with the Wildcats on Wednesday as part of their 2024 class. Britton will join the team as a walk-on.
"It's always been a tight, fun group ... one big family," Phillips said.
Added Gates: "We just kind of grew up together, and created a bond."
And as Mount Si football coach Steve Botulinski pointed out during the signing-day ceremony Wednesday in the school library, CWU is getting two players in Phillips and Gates who were all-time school greats at their respective positions.
Two NCAA Division I-type talents.
"Beau's athletic accolades speak for themselves," said fifth-year CWU football coach Chris Fisk, who led the Wildcats into the NCAA Division II semifinals last fall. "His most important ability is making the first and second tackler miss. And when you put character at the top of the recruiting list, you cannot find a better kid than Beau Phillips."
Fish was equally gushing about Gates, who a few considered the best defensive player in the league last fall.
"We've had a lot of great linebackers, and (Gates) falls in line with that great tradition."
Phillips had given the University of Montana a verbal commitment early in September, but the agreement didn't work out. He de-committed in January.
But he jumped at the opportunity to join a national NCAA Division II contender - and continue playing with his best friends.
"Going where I am wanted, and thinking where I am going to be the best person in 4-5 years … I think I will check both of those boxes at Central Washington," said Phillips, who suffered a season-ending foot injury in October.
"It’s something I could not have passed up for certain other opportunities. The D1-D2 thing isn’t really that big of a deal for me. I went with my gut."
