East Paulding High School Raiders football team and Head Coach Van Spence was presented the revolving “Battle” trophy on Friday night. East Paulding came out pumped up and led the entire game. Paulding County High and Head Coach Justin Pressley battled all night and his team played with grit until time expired. The Raiders won the “Battle” with the final score being 49- 20. This is the 2 nd year for the “Battle” game with the Raiders out of a two-year stint. Congratulations to Raiders nation, Coach Van Spence, and Principal Brad Thomason on receiving the revolving trophy this year.
The Gresham family would like to personally thank PCHS Principal Andy Dorsey, and PCHS Assistant Principal & Athletic Director Kevin Thomas for their support and hospitality at the game on Friday night. To PCHS Head Coach Justin Pressley and EPHS Head Coach Van Spence for honoring what Coach Phillips stood for before, during and after the game. A “HUGE” thank you to Jason Freeman (former Quarterback for Phillips) for giving a heartfelt presentation at the 50-yard line about Coach Ken Phillips and how the Battle of Dallas/Paulding was established. Thank you seems so very small for how much you all meant to my Dad and how you continue to keep his memory alive through this game each year. We are grateful for each of you and love how your roots run deep for your county. Coach Phillips legacy is one that continues to live on in Paulding County because he often stated many times to his family and players “It takes a lifetime to build a reputation but only seconds to destroy it.”
Coach Phillips daughter Kenelle and granddaughter Kenzie Jay awarded the MVP trophies to each team recipient. Kenelle spoke briefly about what this game and tradition meant to her Daddy. Coach Phillips ALWAYS told his players after every game that he loved them. At the conclusion, of the presentations my daughter and I led everyone in the Lord’s prayer, because this is how my Daddy ended every game regardless of what the scoreboard showed. Coach Phillips was a man of faith who loved the Lord and his players until he took his last breath on earth.

Front Row Left to Right: PCHS MVP #18 Riley Jeffries, Kenelle Phillips Gresham, and EPHS MVP #13 Philante Lumpkin.
Back Row Left to Right: PCHS Head Coach Justin Pressley holding his son Cy, PCHS Assistant Principal & Athletic Director Kevin Thomas, PCHS Principal Andy Dorsey, Jason Freeman, EPHS Principal Brad Thomason, and EPHS Head Coach Van Spence (holding the revolving Battle of Paulding trophy). Not pictured is EPHS Assistant Principal & Athletic Director Gene Reynolds and Kenzie Jay Gresham.

Article Credit: Kenelle Gresham

A brief history of how the “Battle” came about in Paulding County. The “Battle of Dallas” was established in 1999 between East Paulding High School and Paulding County High School to honor Coach Ken Phillips. Coach Phillips passed from this life on August 7, 2005 (his grandson, Kent, was born 3 years later August 7, 2008). When the “Battle of Dallas” tradition began, the District had only two high schools. The Battle of Dallas was played from 1999 – 2007 with Paulding County High School versus East Paulding High School. Since the District has grown to five high schools, the name changed to the “Battle of Paulding”. In 2008, The “Battle of Paulding” was established to carry on the legacy of Coach “Big Daddy” Ken Phillips and his beliefs about the game of life. At the end of the “Battle” both teams gather at the 50-yard line for a presentation from Coach Phillips daughter Kenelle. She presents the MVP trophies to each team’s recipient and the revolving “Battle” trophy to the winning team and head coach. “Big Daddy,” as his players lovingly referred to him, was head coach for a record 90 games at PCHS and led the program to its first winning season in 1980. His tenure at Paulding was nine seasons (1977-80; 1985-89), a mark no one in the history of the program at PCHS has surpassed. In August of 2005, the field house at Paulding County High School was named in honor of Coach Phillips. He taught life lessons and touched thousands of lives in a way that made everyone around him a better person. At the end of every football game, win or lose, he always told his boys to go home and tell your mom and dad you love them. Paulding County teams continue to honor “Big Daddy’s” memory by carrying on life-long traditions he established a decade ago. Coach Phillips wife Annelle, passed away at home suddenly on June 21, 2022 and she was the epitome of a coach’s wife. Coach Phillips has left a legacy in Paulding County that will live on in his players for years to come.