MUSKEGON TWP. - After spending years working hard and developing their skills, high school athletes naturally want to win a lot of games in their senior season.
That’s particularly true if they're accustomed to winning.
But sports don’t always go according to plan, and a team’s fortunes can change from year to year, sometimes for the worse.
Reeths-Puffer's Sam Hillin is one of those seniors who has been experiencing more losing than he’s used to this fall.
He was called up to the varsity football team in his sophomore year and helped the Rockets finish 6-3 and qualify for the state playoffs.
R-P's Sam Hillin
He played a bigger role last year as a junior and helped the Rockets go 7-2 and make the playoffs again.
But now he’s one of the leaders of a talented but inexperienced R-P squad, with a lot of underclassmen playing key roles.
The Rockets are 2-3 heading into Friday’s O-K Green conference matchup at home against Byron Center, and more losses could damage their hopes of making the postseason for the third straight year.
Hillin still has a lot of fight in him, however, and he says his teammates do, as well.
He believes last week’s tough 31-13 loss to Forest Hills Northern was not a true indication of how the Rockets can play, and he thinks the team will fare much better in the final four weeks of the season.
Hillin (6) makes a tackle against Spring Lake. Photo/Joe Lane
“I really see us coming together and doing our thing,” he said. “We want to go to the playoffs again and hopefully make it further. I think we still have a good chance to get in. We have four good teams we still have to play, and four good opportunities to win.
“We have the talent. We have a lot of young guys playing in key spots, and they are capable of making some big plays.”
Even if the playoffs aren't in the cards this year, Hillin says he will be fine, because he doesn’t play football just to win.
It’s the only sport he plays, it’s been his passion since he was small, and he’s determined to enjoy every second he has left in an R-P uniform.
“It’s the brotherhood,” Hillin said. “It brings everyone together and we do year-round things. I have grown up with most of these guys and it’s something I love doing. I like the coaches who surround me and make me feel better about myself and make me work harder in school.
“It’s definitely something I don’t want to see come to an end, that’s for sure.”
A true R-P kid
Hillin started playing football as a youngster in elementary school, more out of necessity than anything.
He had a lot of energy – apparently too much – and it was affecting his behavior. His parents knew he need an outlet, so on went the helmet and shoulder pads.
“I was kind of a bad kid in school,” Hillin said. “I needed something to get my anger out. It was more of an ADHD thing. I just had too much energy in the classroom."
What started out as an outlet for excess energy turned into the sole focus of Hillin's athletic career.
He tried basketball in middle school, and gave wrestling a shot, too. But he ended up quitting those sports and putting all of his drive and athleticism into football.
Hillin (6) lines up for a play with the R-P defense. Photo/Joe Lane
Those qualities caught the attention of the Reeths-Puffer varsity coaches two years ago, when Hillin was playing on the JV squad.
He was called up to varsity midway through the 2022 season and has been a solid contributor ever since.
“I was not expecting it,” he said. “I was practicing with the JV, then they told me I would be practicing with the varsity. It felt like an honor.”
Suddenly Hillin was playing with and learning from older standouts like Tayte Vanderleest, Brady Ross, Caiden Bolduc, Brody Johnon and may others.
“It was a blast,” he said. “They were giving me inspiration to come to practice every day and work and work. It was fun to have them push me, and it was fun to practice with them.”
Hillin earned a starting spot as a linebacker in his junior season and has been a mainstay on the R-P defense ever since.
Hillin congratulates a teammate. Photo/Joe Lane
He also plays on special teams and a little H-back on offense, as well.
He’s been having a good senior year so far, with 20 tackles, including five solo stops and three for losses.
“He’s a kid who can do it all,” said R-P head coach Cody Kater. “We moved him up as a sophomore because we liked his athleticism and his ability to play sideline to sideline. He knows how to play football.
“He’s just a true R-P kid. He loves football, he doesn’t play any other sports, and a lot of the younger guys look up to him.”
Hillin is not very big - 5-foot-11, 185 pounds – but he makes up for that with an iron determination to be the best he can be.
Hillin (6) also plays some offense and special teams. Photo/Joe Lane
“I try to come out here every day and give it my all and get one percent better and trust the process,” he said. “I am happy but not satisfied.”
Like most linebackers, Hillin loves the physical part of the sport.
“I love the big hits, and I love seeing my teammates make big hits,” he said. “I like cheering them on. It fills my heart when they make a big play and they are happy. It makes me happy, too.”
Hillin was one of the Rockets who played well last Friday at Forest Hills Northern, recording five tackles and catching a pass for 22 yards.
Unfortunately the night ended in the disappointing loss, following two straight victories. R-P has four more regular season games left against four very good opponents, starting on Friday.
“It was pretty quiet on the bus,” Hillin said about the ride home from Grand Rapids last week. “We were in a pretty low spot. But we’ve been trying to stay positive and not let it affect this week. It could turn out to be just a really good wakeup call.”