There’s no telling where Mykah Hills might line up on Friday nights for Polk County.
It’s a near-certainty, though, that if the Wolverines are taking the football field, Hills WILL be lining up. It’s been that way for four years now.
“For the last few years, it’s just been that we’ve got to find a place for him on the field,” Polk County coach Dustin Fry said. “He’s just one of those guys who has to play. You see what he does in the weight room, you see how athletic he is, since he was a freshman, it’s been that we have to figure out a way to get this guy on the field.”
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They’ve figured it out in any number of ways. Hills is happy to take a shot at rattling them off.
“Actually, it’s not even just this year,” Hills said. “It goes all the way back to my freshman year. Freshman year, I was a running back, a receiver, a corner. My sophomore year I was playing more contact positions, be it linebacker or anything like that. And now I’m all the way down to defensive end. It’s a crazy world.”
Hills appreciates the craziness that comes with playing 3A football.
“You’ve got such a small school and there are a few players who can pretty much do anything. Guys like Styler (Blackwell),” he said. “I’m at defensive end, but it’s really two different linebacker positions. It’s just really cool.”
Fry said that Hills coming to play some at defensive end was a byproduct of his hard work in practice.
“He can put his hand down and play some defensive end,” Fry said with a grin. “He’s played outside backer for us, he’s played DB, he’s our backup running back. He’s done a really good job for us. He’s physical and fast, he would go in on scout team at end against us and we’d wonder why we weren’t playing him at end. He’d give us whatever look we needed to practice against. He might be 160, but he’s playing like he’s 220 out there.”
His speed is what helps set Hills apart, and he uses it to his advantage, particularly when he’s playing off the edge.
“I’m one of those guys who’s faster than I look,” he said. “I’m standing up. I’m always right down the line, and that’s where I think I’m at my best.”
He’s growing to love the contact and physicality of his position on defense, and loves rushing the quarterback. He’s also focusing mostly on defense this season, serving primarily as a reserve when he plays offense. He doesn’t get a break on special teams, either, filling several roles for the Wolverines.
“I’ve been a returner, a blocker, a tackler, pretty much everything,” Hills said. “Something just clicks. I get in my zone and I want to run through whatever’s there.”
Fry said Hills’ work ethic and willingness to adapt to anything thrown at him has been a blessing for the Wolverines.
“We knew the strength, the physicality was there,” Fry said. “It’s just putting it all together mentally, and we feel like it’s kind of clicked this year. He is the epitome of a program guy who’s just kept working and working. He’s always been one of our strongest, fastest guys on the team.
“Now, when you watch him on film, he’s always around the ball. He might not be making the tackle, but he’s always sprinting to the ball. He shows up in every frame. He might get blocked backside, but he’s working over the top and he’s chasing down the play. He’s got a great work ethic and he’s a great teammate.”
Hills said that’s just part of who he is, and something he prides himself on. The fact that he’s had to adapt to a bunch of positions has been an interesting journey, but a rewarding one.
“It’s been pretty chaotic, but that’s all part of life, he said. “It’s a little difficult transitioning to different positions and learning new techniques. It’s pretty hard. But it’s been a lot of fun.”
And if Fry needed somebody to fill another role on the team (or likely even to sell hot dogs at halftime), Hills is the guy he’d turn to.
“He’s also one, too, whose answer is ‘yes sir’ to anything we need him to do,” Fry said. “There’s no hesitation. He’ll do whatever you need, play any position you need. He’s just been a kid I’ve really enjoyed being around the last four years, and a kid I’ll always remember.”
Hills is anxious to make some more memories with the Wolverines before he’s done.
“I’m hoping we can make the most of these last games, however many more we have,” he said. “We’re looking good as of right now. We have a chance of a home playoff game, and then really whatever else comes.”
