The original goal for Kylin Hill was to carry the Columbus High School football team to new levels of success.
As an added bonus, Hill will leave school as one of the state’s best running backs.
“I feel like I played with the best player in the state,” Columbus senior quarterback C.J. Gholar said. “It is amazing how really great Kylin became. When I knew he was in the huddle, we had a chance to break a touchdown on any play. He was really a special player, and it was great going into battle by his side.”
The state’s consensus No. 2 running back by multiple recruiting services, Hill rushed for 1,750 yards and had 27 touchdowns in his senior campaign.
Hill’s play helped Columbus finish 6-6 and make the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A playoffs for a second-straight season. It was the first time since the turn of the century the Falcons made the postseason in back-to-back years.
For his success, Hill is The Dispatch’s Large Schools co-Offensive Player of the Year. He wins the award for a second-straight season. As a junior, Hill rushed for 1,801 yards during an eight-win season.
“We didn’t win a playoff game, and that is a disappointment,” Hill said. “Otherwise, it was a great experience. We had a lot of good times. Our job was to make Columbus football relevant. The seniors did that. We had a lot of good times and won a lot of games.
“People knew when they played us they were going to be in a for a battle. We worked hard and did our best. You can look back at a lot of positives.”
Coach Randal Montgomery took over the Columbus program three seasons ago. After guiding Hazlehurst to three-straight appearances in the state championship game, his job was to create a tradition at Columbus. In his first season, Montgomery counted on the sophomores and realize that group could help transform the culture of the program.
“The first class was special,” Montgomery said. “They bought in. When you change coaches and you change your way of doing things, it can be difficult. Those guys really bought in and were committed in helping change the culture. We are still in the process of learning how to win big games.
“However, this senior class from this year will always be remembered for helping us turn the corner. We became competitive. We became a team that other teams didn’t want to play. For the seniors on offense, such as C.J. and Kylin, they had played together for so long.
“You saw that chemistry on the field. You saw it in practice and in the weight room. The unit played well together. I feel like we had the best offense in Class 6A this season. Kylin is a special player. He can change a game at any point in time. He always had a chance of doing something special.”
Gholar and Hill have played together since grade school. Columbus had a powerful running game with Hill and Kendre Conner sharing the workload in 2015. This past season, Gholar blossomed into a passer and a receiving corps, led by Michael McCloud and Amos Mayfield, aided the rushing attack of Hill, Conner, and Patrick Jackson.
The growth of the offensive line helped the unit rush for 292 yards per game. Gholar threw for 1,752 yards and 13 touchdowns. Hill had 278 receiving yards and a touchdown.
“The challenge this year was to throw the ball more,” Hill said. “C.J. put in a lot of long hours with the receivers. To be able to win big games you have to be able to throw the ball and run the ball. The growth of the passing game really took a lot of pressure off the running backs.
“It was fun being part of this offense while it grew and developed like that.”
Columbus lost a heart-breaker to Clinton in the first round of the 2015 playoffs and fell in similar fashion to Madison Central this season. The 28-25 playoff loss resembled most of the regular season, where Columbus lost five times by nine points or less. In four of those five defeats, Columbus held a fourth-quarter lead.
“It was hard putting everything together,” Hill said. “It seemed like we were still learning how to make the big play and how to win the big game. It was frustrating, but we never gave up. We kept working hard until the end. Every game, we battled and competed. I think the younger guys learn from seniors. They know how hard you have to work to win on this level.
“If they focus and work hard, they can build on what we have been doing.”
Hill will build his game on the next level. His recruitment has been intense, with letters and offers coming on a regular basis. The 6-foot, 210-pounder gave a verbal commitment to Dan Mullen and Mississippi State in the summer.
Hill attended multiple MSU games this season and appears set on honoring his commitment in February.
“Mississippi State has been very good to me,” Hill said. “They have gone out of their way to make me feel like a part of the family. I am looking forward to my time there and seeing what type of player I can become.”
In high school, he will be remembered as one of the state’s best running backs. Most recruiting services have Hill ranked only behind consensus player of the year Cam Akers, of Clinton.
Akers and Hill took part in one of Hill’s most memorable games in high school. Clinton eliminated Columbus in the 2015 playoffs, 56-42. Hill ran for 382 yards and five touchdowns, while Akers threw for 355 yards, rushed for 150 yards, and had five touchdowns.
“It was the best night of my life,” Hill said, “other than the final score.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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