Player of the Week: Oregon-bound running back leads Althoff to high-scoring start

Althoff Catholic’s Dierre Hill Jr. had a big hand in helping the Crusaders roll to a 61-0 nonconference road win at Decatur St. Theresa last Friday.

The senior running back, who has committed to the University of Oregon, rushed for 175 yards on three carries and scored on touchdown runs of 97 and 92 yards. He also returned a punt 97 yards for a score.

Althoff coach Austin Frazier said the Crusaders have become accustomed to big nights from the 6-1, 195-pound Hill after his breakout season as a junior, after which he was named the Gatorade Illinois Player of the Year.

“After having him for a year last year, sometimes the amazing stuff that happens with him, we get to see that stuff on a daily basis, so we’re a little spoiled with it,” Frazier said.

Hill also made his presence felt in special teams early this week at St. Teresa’s, starting the game with a 97-yard kickoff return for a big-play score.

“When he got the opening kickoff, we were all a little shocked but that was part of the plan,” Frazier said. “Several coaches looked at each other like he had a pretty good shot to take that home, and so he did.”

Frazier credits new offensive coordinator and former O’Fallon coach Byron Gettis with using Hill in multiple spots along the line of scrimmage to take advantage of his speed and ability to make plays in space.

Frazier is very pleased with Hill’s strong start to the season.

“The engine (of the offense) starts with No. 10 back there and he’s done a great job of getting kind of getting it all started fast and quickly each game and couldn’t ask for too much more out of him so far,” Frazier said.

Hill’s performance comes a week after a four touchdown performance in a 41-14 win over Alton on opening night. His night’s work included 97 yards rushing on 13 carries.

As a junior, he led the Crusaders’ state quarterfinals-qualifying team with 28 touchdowns and 1,788 yards rushing with 13 yards-per-carry average. With his big-play bursts last week, Hill is now averaging 22.7 yards per carry on the season.