First-year Cambridge Christian coach John Kelly expects Lancers quarterback Etienne Turner to air it out a bit more in 2008, and one reason Kelly is excited to see it happen is the because of the Lancers’ No. 1 receiving threat – junior Dixon Phillips.

Phillips, at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, is a player Kelly says “has been big for us the past couple of years. He has Division I potential because of his size, quickness and pass-catching abilities.”

Kelly said Phillips performed extremely well during a 7-on-7 drills this summer against competition from much larger programs. The coach noted a matchup with local power Chamberlain, in which Phillips “had two very nice touchdown grabs.”

However, the Lancers, who were one of the county’s top rushing teams last season, will continue to look to move the ball on the ground as well.

Even though Cambridge Christian lost Taylor Cabral, Hillsborough County’s rushing leader in 2007, to graduation, Kelly has confidence in a few players who will line up in the backfield this season.

One of them is senior Micah Lewis, who has returned after suffering a torn ACL midway through 2007.

Kelly said Lewis, who ran well last season before the injury, is full recovered and should see a lot of time in the backfield with junior Chris Brown.