Patterson’s star runner Hilliard humble, athletic Lumberjack

When the Patterson Lumberjacks needed a big play this season, there was no secret who was getting the pigskin – Kenny Hilliard.

The big, bulky junior gave the team the spark they needed this year as he carried them into the quarterfinal round of the Class 3A state playoffs before a heartbreaking loss to Parkview Baptist Friday night.

But while No. 4 is an imposing figure – slightly over 6-feet tall and 220 pounds and the sole focus of every defense he faces – it could be easy to assume he has a rugged intensity that the game calls for a person to have. When he removes that all-black helmet and sheds his enormous shoulder pads, the first thing noticable is his electrifying smile.

His coach Tommy Minton calls him happy-go-lucky. He calls it just being himself. His personality is that of a typical teenager always smiling and joking around with his friends.

None of them, however, have had the privilege of being the feature of a Sports Illustrated centerpiece.

In the July 13th issue of the national sports publication, the Patterson native was highlighted in the Stars of Tomorrow section with other teenage sports stars around the country.

Even though it was a great honor, Hilliard remains grounded.

“It was a great feeling being in Sports Illustrated,” he said. “Everyone my age dreams of being in Sports illustrated. I worked hard to get that opportunity and I thank God for the opportunity and it was a great experience.”

Hilliard explained that being in the magazine was an incredible experience yet had unique perspective on the recognition.

“I thought that it was interesting,” he said. “I really don’t have a big head. I try stay humble with it.”

Being humble is true to the personality of the Lumberjack junior running back. He had a lot of practice because the name Hilliard is synonymous with high school football greatness in St. Mary Parish.

His uncle, Dalton Hilliard, is a former star running back for LSU and the New Orleans Saints through the 1980s and early 1990s.

If that’s not a strong enough family tradition, his family tree branches out to former New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Ike Hilliard, who retired after last season.

The younger Hilliard says that he has a lot to live up to but he has a lot of family support.

“It is a great honor to have that last name,” he says. “Having those people in my life has always motivated me to keep my grades right and to eat healthy. I always listen to what they say. They have been through what I am going through right now and they have given me some great advice.”

This season Hilliard was the sole focus of every defense that he faces and for good reason. As a sophomore, Hilliard ran for 2,377 yards and 34 touchdowns.

This year, the Lumberjack amassed over 2,400 yards and carried his team to the quarterfinal round of the playoffs.

With his powerful stride, Hilliard has drawn comparisons to current Tennessee Titans running back and former college All-American LenDale White. Hilliard is pleased with the comparison and feels there are many things to his game that he looks to improve upon.

“I think that I need to really improve on pass blocking,” said Hilliard. “Protecting the quarterback and running precise pass routes out of the backfield are the things that I really need to improve on.”

Minton says that other aspects of his game that needs improvement will be worked on during the spring.

“One of the things that he needs to improve on is his break away speed,” Minton said. “He ran track last year for the first time and he is running it again this year and that should increase his speed when he gets into the open field.”

With a bruising running style already in place and working in tandem with the ability to break away from the pack as well as running precise pass routes will make Hilliard a well rounded back and a highly sought after college recruit. With all of colleges out there, three have really caught his eye – Miami, LSU and Southern California. Yet, he is still keeping his options open.

“As far as colleges go, he is always asking me questions about different places and coaches that I know,” Minton explained. “I try to impress on him that this is where you will be living for the next four to five years.”

Hilliard is taking all of the attention in stride. He had an abundance of personality, quiet demeanor and leadership; teammates are very supportive of their star and realize that his opportunities are theirs as well.

“His teammates looked at him as a leader and they also feel that he could supply them with an opportunity to succeed,” the coach said.

“Scouts from different schools would come and see Kenny and they see it as an opportunity to get themselves noticed by those same scouts. So it raises everyone else’s game.”

While Hilliard is a rough and rugged runner with the football, he is a quiet individual with a playful side that is contagious throughout the team according to his coach.

that he is getting in stride.”

Unfortunately for opposing players, they still have one more year of an even hungrier Hilliard ready to leave his mark and carry his team to the next level.

Patterson running back Kenny Hillard (4) looks for running room against E.D. White earlier in the season. The bruising running back just completed his junior season and has college scouts at USC, LSU and Miami among others fighting for his services in college. * File Photo / Tri-Parish Times