MUSKEGON – As a senior on a team with a history of state championships, David Hill already had plenty of motivation to have a great season.
But he’s also driven by a proud family legacy.
Hill is the son of former Reeths-Puffer running back DeMarkeo Hill, an All-Stater who was a crucial part of the 1992 state champion Rocket football team.
DeMarkeo Hill, who rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns in the ’92 state title game, passed away in 2018 after a battle with cancer at the age of 44. His son has been honoring his memory by wearing the same number 20 that his father wore in high school.
[1]“It means a lot to me,” Hill said about choosing the number. “I feel like I kind of get to play for him in some way because he’s not here to watch me. The other day, I saw a newspaper of him on the wall in a bar. I kind of want to live up to that, but it’s kind of hard. I want to make sure he’s proud of me when he sees me playing.”
Hill says his dad is on his mind during warmups before every game.
“Before games, that’s all I think about,” he said. “I just think about trying to live up to him and his moment. I’m trying to be a name that people remember.”
Hill has done a pretty good job of creating a legacy for himself at MCC this season.
He’s played extremely well the last two weeks, exploding for 177 rushing yards and four touchdowns in a 41-28 victory over Tri County in MCC’s final regular season game, then adding 112 yards on the ground and an interception on defense in Friday’s 42-14 win over Kent City in the first round of the Division 6 playoffs.
[2]Hill and the Crusaders will play for a district championship on Friday when they visit 9-1 Reed City.
Hill now has 803 rushing yards on the season with nine touchdowns in 10 games. He’s also caught 13 passes for 184 yards and two more TDs.
“He’s got really good vision,” MCC head coach Steve Czerwon said about Hill. “I think that’s his best thing. He makes people miss. He’s got a really good feel for his running, with making people miss and his cuts.”
“I’m having fun,” Hill said about his season. “It’s been great. I just love playing. I love making big plays and playing with the team, especially when we’re winning.”
At a lot of schools a running back like Hill would provide 90 percent of the offense.
[3]At MCC he doesn’t have to be that guy, because he’s surrounded by plenty of talent, including freshman standout quarterback Bryan Convertini, who rushed for 734 yards and 14 touchdowns in the regular season, and passed for another 444, including three TDs.
But Hill has played a huge role at crucial times all season.
A good example came in the season opener, when North Muskegon scored first, then Hill answered on the next play with a 47-yard kickoff return that set up an MCC touchdown. Later in the game he had a 68-yard run that set up another Crusader score.
Both of those touchdowns were crucial in a 24-22 MCC victory.
Another example came in Week 4, when MCC made the long trip to play a team from Fulton, Illinois. Hill scored the only touchdown in a narrow 7-6 victory and led the all-important defensive effort with 10 tackles.
[4]He also caught the game-winning touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of a 16-12 victory over Schoolcraft.
Beyond his game contributions, Hill plays a huge leadership role for the Crusaders, which is extra important on a squad with a talented but very young quarterback.
“Kids have really trusted his leadership,” Czerwon said about Hill, who also has played safety, cornerback and linebacker on defense this season. “His development has helped us get to where we’re at. He’s got good leadership ability and he’s popular with the kids.”
That leadership role means a lot to Hill.
[5]“It’s nice to be able to provide a role model,” he said. “I know the freshmen hype me up. I love kind of teaching them and giving them advice on little things. I think we have a very good group of younger kids. They could possibly be even better the next couple years than we are this year.
“I think they have a lot of potential, especially with Bryan (Convertini), who I think is going to be a star. I just want to be able to help shape and mold it.”
No matter when the MCC season ends – whether it’s at Ford Field in the state finals or not – Hill will wrap up a career that his dad would be very proud of, just like Hill is very proud to be his father’s son.
“Everywhere I go, I’ll run into random people and they’ll ask if I’m DeMarkeo’s son,” he said. “They’ll tell me my daddy was the truth every time, and it’s cool. Everyone knew and loved my dad. He was a very well-known guy and it’s cool hearing everyone talk about how good he was. It will always bring a smile to my face.” 
[6]