WC’s McKinley Phillips and Kaylee Doyle sign cheer scholarships to Southwest Mississippi CC

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — A shared journey that began in childhood will continue on the collegiate stage for Warren Central High School standouts McKinley Phillips and Kaylee Doyle.

The longtime teammates officially signed Tuesday morning to continue their cheer and academic careers at Southwest Mississippi Community College, celebrating the milestone together in a ceremony held in their honor.

From their early days cheering at the YMCA to supporting Warren Central’s football team in a state championship appearance, Phillips and Doyle have built a legacy side by side. Both served as team captains, earned induction into the Warren Central High School Hall of Fame and helped lead their squad to two national appearances, including a ninth-place finish while both being named All-Americans.

Coached primarily by Cameron Coon, the duo said their bond and shared experiences have fueled their success — and they believe their best moments are still ahead.

Doyle

Doyle’s path to Southwest Mississippi began after attending a cheer clinic, where she quickly caught the attention of the coaching staff. After connecting with the coach, she knew it was the right fit.

“I love the coach — she’s very sweet and nice,” Doyle said.

Doyle’s cheer career started at a young age at the YMCA and continued through junior high, where she began wearing the red Vikings uniform. As a junior, she earned the team’s best versatile base award and said her favorite memories came from building close relationships with her teammates during practices.

In her senior season, Doyle cheered Warren Central through a run to the state championship game — an experience she described as unforgettable.

“It was very surreal because it’s been a long time since we’ve been in a championship, and cheering in the big stadium was great,” she said.

Doyle called signing her scholarship a dream come true.

She is the daughter of Kevin Alexander and Lexi Doyle and plans to major in nursing.

Phillips

For Phillips, the decision to sign with Southwest Mississippi came shortly after being recruited last month.

“The campus was nice, and all the girls were really sweet. They treated us as if we were already a part of the team,” Phillips said.

Like Doyle, Phillips began cheering at the YMCA and joined the Warren Central squad as a ninth-grader. Her dedication to the sport helped carry her through a memorable run that included cheering in the 2025 state championship game.

“That felt amazing, and I’ve never felt anything like that before,” she said. “The big stadium is something I’ll always remember.”

Phillips earned both the best base award and the most dedicated award during her high school career, accolades that reflected her competitive drive and passion for the sport.

“I love being a part of school spirit, and I love making the crowd happy,” she said.

She is the daughter of Butch and Jennifer Phillips and plans to pursue a career as a NICU nurse.

Together, Phillips and Doyle now look ahead to the next chapter — one that will once again see them cheering side by side.