Columbus High School junior running back Kylin Hill did not have to be told it was time to step up.
“We really didn’t have to have a discussion,” Columbus second-year coach Randal Montgomery said. “He knew when Kendre (Conner) went down, he was going to have to be the man.
“Obviously, he has done a great job with that.”
Hill rushed 26 times for 209 yards and two touchdowns Friday night as Columbus improved to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in Mississippi High School Activities Association, Class 6A, Region 1 play with a 33-9 win over Tupelo.
For his efforts, Hill is being chosen today as the Dispatch’s Prep Player of the Week.
Conner was the team’s leading rusher when he suffered an ankle injury in the first half of a 13-3 loss to West Point. In difficult field conditions, Columbus could never get its offense righted in that defeat.
As Conner has rehabbed during an open date and now two region games, Hill was thrust into the spotlight. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound senior college prospect has not disappointed.
“Whatever it takes to help the team win,” Hill said. “If that means I have to carry the ball 30 times, that is what we are going to do. I am excited about the last two weeks from an individual standpoint. I am even more excited about the fact that the team has responded. We are all in this together. It has been a lot of fun showing what we are capable of doing.”
Conner rushed for 227 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-6 win over New Hope. Hill followed that up with a 237 yards on 34 rushes with one touchdown in a 23-21 win over DeSoto Central.
Hill has now had four 100-yard rushing games and two-200 yard rushing games. Conner has had one apiece. Junior quarterback C.J. Gholar also ran for 111 yards in the win over Tupelo in his first 100-yard performance.
In the two region wins, Hill has rushed 60 times for 446 yards with three touchdowns.
“We knew we had to get him more opportunities with the ball,” Montgomery said. “He has done a great job for us. He puts pressure on the opposing team’s defense on every down. We need his hands on the ball in the backfield more. We have been able to do that the last couple of weeks.”
Columbus will play host to Horn Lake (2-5, 0-2 region) Friday in another region matchup for Homecoming.
Hill said the chemistry of the team has been a huge factor in the quick start in region play. In the preseason, Gholar called Hill and Conner the best running back duo in the state.
“A lot of players have played together for a long time,” Hill said. “That helps on Friday nights. We know each other and we are comfortable with each other. The offensive line is really doing a great job this year.
“Between (Gholar), (Conner) and myself, we can attack teams in a lot of different ways. You can’t sell out to stop one of us.”
Montgomery said watching Hill taken over a game is special. Despite two early turnovers, the Columbus offense found a rhythm and could do very little wrong in churning out 454 yards of total offense.
“From a blocking standpoint, you see things are a little bit different when Kylin gets going,” Montgomery said. “The linemen stay on their blocks and a little bit longer and take better angles on their blocks. You know he can break a long run instantly. You want to be a part of that when he does.”
Meanwhile, Conner is expected back for the Horn Lake contest. Hill is excited to have his teammate back and for the Falcons to have one more option.
“When we get Kendre back, we have a chance to be really special,” Hill said. “Everybody is excited about 2-0 (in region play). But we also know we have a long way to go.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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