Pleasant Home running back earns honors

Austin Chesser, right guard.

Evan Yates, right tackle.

Zack Roberts, center.

Tanner Veasey, left guard.

Troy Greathouse, left tackle.

Cameron Hill gave all the credit to Pleasant Home’s front five of the offensive line for his stellar performance on the ground for the Eagles in last week’s 44-33 region win over Georgiana.

Hill rushed for 203 yards on 11 carries and scored three touchdowns in the win and it was good enough to earn The Star-News’ Player of the Week honors. Hill’s work on the field was also noted in the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s weekly honors for the same award.

So far this season, Hill has rushed for nearly 800 yards, about 1,100 yards shy of his team’s total for the year.

“If my line don’t play good, I don’t play good,” Hill said about his great night.

PHS head football coach Cody McCain said usually, he’ll use the senior at fullback during games so the team can rely more on wing backs.

McCain said Hill is making up for lost time.

“He didn’t have the year last year that he had hoped,” McCain said. “When he was a 10th grader, we thought he was going to be a special player for us. He was a back up to (PHS former running back and All-State player) Frank (Senn).”

McCain said as long as Hill stays healthy, then he wouldn’t be surprised if the running back passes 1,000 yards.

Hill’s health came into question two weeks ago during the Flomaton game, where he suffered what was thought to be a broken arm.

“I was upset real bad,” Hill said when he suffered the injury. “I thought I broke it.”

After what turned out to be a bone bruise, Hill said he was fortunate that it wasn’t as serious as it was.

“I was happy it wasn’t broken,” he said.

Then came the game last week against the Panthers.

The Eagles trailed 21-16 at half time last week, but rallied to score 28 points in the second half to finish the game strong and take the No. 2 spot in Class 1A, Region 2, under Brantley.

Pleasant Home will travel to face Geneva County this Friday and Hill said every one knows what’s at stake — either being a host or visitor the first round of the playoffs.

“We’ve got to keep them inside,” he said about the Bulldogs’ elusive offense, who likes to run sweep plays on the outside.

When asked what drives him as a player, Hill said it comes in two people — his father, Anthony, and his brother, Cody.

“My dad really never played football,” Hill said. “I play for my dad. He couldn’t play (football). He had to work to support his family.”

Cody works off shore.

Hill is also the son of Donna of the Hopewell Community.