A Patriot

Williamsburg senior Will Hill has been a part of the “Jackets Dozen” for the last six years. A strong-willed running back and defensive back who helped lead the Jackets to an outstanding career, one that ended with an undefeated regular season and a trip to the Class A regional title game against the Pikeville Panthers.
The season for those 12 young men ended with a heart-breaking loss to the Panthers in Pikeville. But, it’s today that the rewards start for those young men. And Will Hill was the first to be rewarded with a college scholarship. Hill scored 20 touchdowns last fall, 18 by rushing and two on the receiving end. Hill finished his senior year with over 1,000 yards. He rushed the ball for 924 yards while hauling in 146 yards from quarterback Andy Greer.
In the last two seasons, he helped lead the Jackets to a 19-5 record.
Hill chose to stay close to home when he signed a letter of intent to play football at Cumberland College.
Hill, also a star on the Yellow Jacket track team, said he was excited about signing with the Patriots. “I have watched Cumberland for years and I have always been a running back type of guy,” said Hill. “I have played in a pass type offense and we’ve done good, now I just want to go somewhere where I can produce and somebody who really wants me.”
“From day one they have wanted me and that’s where I wanted to go,” said Hill.
“I will have to get used to running the ball more because they like to run the ball,” said Hill. “I will have to get used to the tempo of the game. I heard the tempo gets a lot faster.”
“From what I have seen and heard everybody is a lot faster at that level,” said Hill.
“I will have to go in and do my work,” said Hill in hopes of breaking into the lineup. “You have to work hard everyday to earn what you get.”
Hill is looking forward to staying close to home. “I will have the support of my family and I already know everybody here. I will have the support of a lot of people who are already here,” he added.
Hill said it was important that he continue to work out and get ready for the summer programs. “I need to keep lifting and running so I can get faster,” he said.
Williamsburg coach Jim Black feels Hill will make the transition to Cumberland. “He will be close to home and that’s great for him. A lot of people from this area already know Will,” he said.
“It will be better for him because there is less of an adjustment,” said Black. “As far as going somewhere new.”
“His biggest adjustments will be to the college game,” said Black. “Everybody is big, strong and fast. It’s like starting over. He will be a freshman again, only this time its at the college level instead of the high school level.”
Black said Hill just “needs to keep on progressing the way he has” to be successful at Cumberland College. “If he keeps progressing at the level he is, he will be a great college player.”