Student Athlete of the Week – Kyle Hill
"The guys that go to Sacred Heart you are hoping or expecting that they come to Xavier. Doesn't always work out like that. But Angie is a great lady and she brought Kyle to our school," said XP head coach James Dockery. "He's been a great ambassador on and off the field for Xavier, and we're lucky to have him."
"I met Coach Doc in seventh grade. When I came to Xavier my freshman year that was my first-time playing tackle football," said Hill.
How would you describe the way you play?
"I feel like I play pretty fast. I'm smart. I love being coached and I go over to coach's house to watch the film and study," said Hill.
"He has the ability to understand what's going on and how teams are trying to go against him. He plays really fast because he's smart, he knows where to go. But the thing that's underrated about him is he tackles very well. He's very violent in a good way," said Dockery.
"When he shows up to tackle, he shows up with a bad attitude and that's the reason why he's going to be playing on Saturday."
Standing 6 foot 4 inches, Hill has been a menace for Xavier Preps defensive line. A consistent leader by example. I asked Hill what he does outside of school.
"Go see my grandparents in LA," said Hill. "Pretty simple guy. Football, school, not much for me."
"Pretty funny guy, he thinks he's funnier than he is. But he's got he's got a couple of jokes. But one thing about him that I appreciate is he's really good with the kids. Him being in the same neighborhood he's always popping around the house and just coming by to see my boys. He's really good with my sons," said Dockery. "And I can tell just one day he'll be a great father, a great leader, a great teacher. Whatever he chooses to do, he'll do it well."
Hill applies his passion for competition right to the classroom. Coach Dockery says he envies Kyle's vision for his future.
"He is a very educational guy, his mom and his parents, they really force academics on him in a good way," said Dockery. "And I think that he's excited to have a career and if it's in the NFL for a little bit he'll take that too but more importantly, he wants to get that degree."
"It's more about like life after football you know, so what if I don't like completely succeed by football the rest of my life. I have to be able to do something. I'd have some intelligence to know what you're doing and get a degree," said Hill.
The Student Athlete of the Week segment airs every Tuesday, profiling local high school seniors who are strong students, good athletes and outstanding people.
Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of local high school sports throughout the 2023-2024 school-year.
