Christian Hill: "More Excited This Year"

After a sophomore season in which he amassed 1660 yards and 14 touchdowns and accolades as one of the best running backs in the state of West Virginia, Christian Hill is ready for more in 2019, "I am more excited this year and ready to go."

Ready indeed. Last Friday night Hill was the difference maker in Hurricane's 24-13 victory over Winfield. He carried 26 times for 186 yards, a performance that would have drawn rave reviews a year ago, however after witnessing weekly performances that were very similar to what Hill did Friday night, perhaps Redskin fans have started to grow accustom to his talents. It may just be me but his efforts against Winfield seemed to garner a "Ho-Hum" response from the huge amount of Hurricane fans in attendance.

One can understand that Christian may have spoiled us with his week in and week out steady if not spectacular performance a year ago. What makes his accomplishments even more intriguing is the fact that often the opposing defenses are often designed to stop him.

This is nothing new to Hill, "defenses have been targeted to stop me since midget league, middle school and now in high school, I just play through it and do what I do." He continued to add that, "If teams play 8 in the box or not we have been able to run the ball."

Hill knows that there are times that Coach Taylor will take what the defense gives him and use the passing game if defenses are stacked to stop the run. "Whatever is best for the team, if we have to throw 35 passes and run the ball 5 times, if we win I'm happy," Christian commented, but then was quick to add, "of course if they give me the ball 35 times I good with that too!"

Hill was aware that the offense spent the summer working in a number of new players on the line and at receiver, and therefore he was not concerned that they may have looked sluggish at times during pre-season scrimmages. "we worked on what we had to get fixed."

Although at times penalties hurt the Redskins continuity, Hurricane looked ready on Friday night as they totaled over 380 yards of total offense.

Hill looks at the team's young offensive line and sees them growing and getting better each day. He also points out that 4 of those lineman will return for his senior season in 2019, "I will have them back next year and I am excited about their future." He points to one young lineman that had to shift over to Center during the 2nd half a week ago, "Garrett Green (#57) is a sophomore that has impressed me, he knows the offense and hits hard."

Christian also likes what he sees in the Hurricane's new receiving corp. "Nate (Barham) is faster than Curon (Cordon) and has good hands." That speed and those hands were on display against Winfield as he Barham accounted for 4 receptions for 36 yards and a TD, and also had 2 other TDs nullified by penalties. "R.J. (Engel) is a stud and he may not be as fast as Dakota (Williams) was last year but he showed he can get deep and catch the ball."

Hill stressed that there is no single element that makes the Redskins offense click, "we have to be a physical and balanced offense if we want to where we want to be."

One team that Christian is not sorry that the Redskins do not play this season is Paintsville (KY), "they hit me harder than any team."

Although he is focused on the team's success, Hill admits that 15-20 touchdowns and 2000 yards would be awesome, "but I don't worry about it or count on it."

With Hill more excited about this season those goals are certainly in reach. If the Redskins play 12 games again this year he is on pace for 2232 yards rushing.