He makes everyone feel good by day. He breaks records at night.

Griffin Hill is the running man.

Wearing No. four for the Antioch Community High School Sequoits, Hill is one of the varsity football team’s running backs. He breaks records and exceeds expectations.

Last Thursday, Oct. 2, Griffin scored four touchdowns against the Mundelein Mustangs.

“Growing up, I played both sides of the ball so that helped soak up my extra energy. It was a natural fit. As I got older, I really started to appreciate the game, plays and strategy involved. I also like that it is a team sport,” said Hill.

Hill’s feats do not come naturally. However, his parents, Kim and Howard Hill, might beg to differ.

“Aside from what [Howard and I] believe is God given talent, Griffin has a passion for team sports, competition and an ability to be objective about his game and his goals. He works nonstop at getting better. He puts forth mental and physical effort to be the best player and teammate he can be. He’s coachable and humble which I think are good attributes to succeeding as well,” said Kim Hill.

Hill is a junior at ACHS. He is the type of person that just makes you laugh, chuckle and just feel better whenever you see him.

Asking ACHS students to describe Griffin, not one bad word came out. These descriptions included good, hilarious, caring and unbelievable.

One word stood out above the rest. Not only because his parents share similar thoughts, but because Hill lives up to it everyday.

“Dedicated. He is to his family first, but also to his teammates, coaches, teachers and friends,” Kim Hill said.

Hill is not only a part of the football team at ACHS, but as well as the National Honor Society, “Hubbard’s Cupboard” and the basketball team. However, these activities don’t even come close to what is really important to him: family.

“My family is everything to me. They are my biggest fans no matter what. I can always come home to them and know that I am loved and appreciated. We are there for each other and interested in everybody’s things,” said Griffin Hill. “Over the years they have cheered for me, driven me places, talked over my good and bad games and kept me laughing, never letting me take myself too seriously.”

Little do people know that Hill does not have the usual family. Hill has eight siblings; he has five sisters and three brothers.

“Our house is no more hectic than anyone else’s. We just have a bigger family calendar! [The] best part is being all together. [The] hardest part is getting together, but we still manage a pretty big group around the dinner table most nights,” Kim Hill said. “His siblings see the effort Griffin puts into both his sports and school work. But they mostly relate to the fun and caring brother he is at home.”

In addition to his siblings, students within the walls of ACHS look up to Hill.

“I try to lead by example [by] working hard, doing what is right and making good choices on and off the field,” said Hill.

Whatever comes in his path, he always manages to make things right. He leads by example inside and outside of ACHS.

Griffin Hill is talented. Griffin Hill is dedicated. Griffin Hill is the running man.