Gordon Hill has emerged as an offensive standout for St. Joseph.
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound junior started at defensive back last season. But this year the Sicklerville resident has rushed for 153 yards on 18 carries, an average of 8.5 yards per carry. Hill has rushed for five touchdowns and caught one touchdown pass.
St. Joe has won two straight after its season-opening loss to Bridgeton. The Wildcats have outscored their last two opponents 94-7.
St. Joe hosts Holy Spirit (3-0) at noon Saturday. The game is one of the Cape-Atlantic League's biggest rivalries.
How does it feel to be a bigger part of the offense this season? I like it. But it doesn't matter to me as long as my team is winning. I like defense the best. Running back is like second nature to me. It comes pretty easy. But I like defense. That's where I first started playing varsity and I probably like the hitting more, too.
How have you and your teammates bounced back from the Bridgeton loss? The Bridgeton loss humbled us. We had such a great preseason. I think we underestimated them. Now we're looking at each game like it's the Super Bowl. We're not looking to the future at all.
How big is the rivalry between St. Joe and Holy Spirit? When I came into the game last year, I didn't see it as a big rivalry. I'm not from the Atlantic City area. It's a big-time game between big-time teams, but to me it's just another game.
Each Friday night before a game, the team goes over to coach Paul Sacco's house, which is filled with St. Joe memorabilia. What are those gatherings like? It really gets you motivated. You see what past teams have done. He has pictures of great players like Richard White and Jack Corcoran. It's like a Hall of Fame to St. Joe football. It makes me want to play like those guys.
What is it like playing for coach Sacco? I haven't seen him show a lot of emotion. He might be happy, but I haven't seen it.
Told to Michael McGarry
