Deacon Hill got a lot of playing time as a sophomore quarterback for Santa Barbara High’s football team, including the start in a CIF-SS Division 7 playoff game at fourth-seeded Culver City.
Hill and the Dons were overmatched against the eventual division champions, but that humbling experience made them better the following year.
Hill took charge in his junior year and led Santa Barbara to an undefeated Channel League championship and the program’s first CIF finals appearance in 30 years.
For his accomplishments, Hill has been recognized as the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table’s High School Football Player of the Year.
Due to the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic, the SBART is presenting its athletes of the year in high school and college sports as well as its scholarship winners and community leader awards in a virtual format. An award winner will be presented each day on the Round Table’s social media platforms of Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and in Noozhawk Sports.
Thursday’s award: High School Girls Volleyball
Athletes of the year will not be awarded for spring sports because the seasons were cut short by the pandemic.
Hill passed for 3,009 yards and 35 touchdowns in an 11-3 season. In the Dons’ run to the CIF Division 8 championship game, he threw for 1,074 yards and 13 TDs and rushed for three scores.
“What impressed me the most this season was watching him stay humble and continue to be the same old Deacon,” said Dons coach J.T. Stone. “He never changed and even took on more responsibility being that he is a high-profile quarterback. Super proud of him.”
Hill was honored as the Channel League’s Offensive Player of the Year and Noozhawk’s All-South Coast Team Offensive MVP, and was named to the All-CIF Division 8 team.
Hill has made a verbal commitment to the University of Wisconsin.
— Noozhawk sports editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk Sports on Twitter: @NoozhawkSports. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
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