MACON — Leshon Hill knows his teammates are going to keep him in check.
When asked about his goals for the 2014 season, the Central Academy senior shrugged his shoulders and said he would like to rush for 1,000 yards and help the Vikings play for a state title.
After Hill rushed for more than 200 yards in his first two games of the season, the Vikings are going to make sure Hill re-examines his goals and raises the bar.
Hill had 11 carries for 204 yards and three touchdowns last week to lead Central Academy to a 44-0 victory against The Veritas School. His performance comes on the heels of a 229-yard, one-touchdown effort in a victory against Stride Academy.
For his accomplishments, Hill is The Dispatch’s Prep Player of the Week.
“It has been fun seeing my hard work pay off,” Hill said. “The team has been playing together like we all told you we would.”
The 5-foot-8, 165-pound Hill, who played football at Noxubee County High School before transferring to Central Academy, admitted he wasn’t sure if he was going to be able to play as big a role as he has through two games. He said he realized everyone was expecting him to have a big season, especially after last year when a wrist injury limited his playing time. He said his teammates have motivated him and have “had his back” to build his confidence and to know he can dig deep to get the yards the Vikings need.
“Every week I have been trying to get better and do better because when I play good my team plays good and we put up a lot of points,” Hill said. “When I make a big play, it leads to another big play. It all builds on top of each other.”
Central Academy first-year coach Will Walker said all of the Vikings have done a great job blocking, supporting, and encouraging Hill in the first two games. He said it has been fun to see Hill take advantage.
“He has made plays,” Walker said. “He has that speed and cutback ability that if blockers are coming at him to juke them and move and get yards when you don’t think he is going to get some.”
Walker said Hill, who also plays in the secondary, has an infectious determination that has helped Central Academy equal its win total from last season. Central Academy’s scheduled season opener against Mt. Salus Christian was canceled. He said the team chemistry has helped push Hill and all of the Vikings to go harder, faster, and longer than they have in the past.
“He looks so graceful when he is doing it, you don’t realize how many yards he is getting each time he is out there,” Walker said. “There is effort, but it is almost effortless the way he makes it look. He keeps his legs going every play. He has that power and ability to get away from tackles and to break tackles.”
Walker doesn’t think the early success will make Hill overconfident. In fact, he feels Hill has been flattered by the success and is humble enough to keep himself in check. If needed, Hill’s teammates will do their part to make sure one of their senior leaders has a new benchmark to target to keep him motivated. Rest assured they will block and do everything they can do to help ensure Hill and the Vikings will keep rolling.
“We have such a good team spirit, you don’t want anything to break that,” Walker said. “I think they all realize that and want to keep the momentum going we have.”
Central Academy will play host to Delta Streets Academy at 7 p.m. Friday for its Homecoming.
Hill hopes this week’s game is another step up a ladder. He isn’t sure what goal he will set for himself now that he is nearly halfway to his initial goal of 1,000 yards. Hill already has heard his teammates tell him he can do better, so he is gearing up to show everybody he can do just that.
“They were saying, ‘I know you can run faster than you have been running,’ ” Hill said. “They want to see the breakaway speed I have. Every week it has been something different. They have been hyping me up a little bit. They like when I juke people and run people over, so they are probably going to be like, ‘I bet you can’t run this person over.’
“I like that responsibility and knowing they have faith in me. It makes me feel like I am playing my part and I know they and the rest of the seniors are going to play their part.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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