Hilldale player keeps going and going and going ...

By Kenton Brooks

Levi Hamlin doesn’t have any problems getting a good night’s sleep after a Friday night game.

Sure, he has his share of bruises, aches and pains, but he wouldn’t have it any other way in playing for Hilldale.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound junior starts at defensive end and fullback. He also lines up on the special teams for extra points and punts

Hamlin almost never leaves the field for the Hornets.

“I didn’t come off until two minutes were left in the game (last Friday against Tuttle),” he said. “I was pretty tired.”

“The coaches have a lot of trust in me that I can do more things and I’m happy about that,” he said. “If they didn’t trust me, they wouldn’t put me out there.”

Hilldale coach Don Hendrix puts a lot of faith in Hamlin.

“He’s our most consistent defensive player,” Hendrix said. “I like his attitude. At halftime or when we’re talking during the game and even in practice, you can tell Levi tries to do things correctly. He’s got a great attitude right now. He’s ready to play.”

Hamlin lines up tonight when the Hornets, 2-1 for the season, play at Poteau in the District 4A-4 opener for both teams. The Pirates (3-0) are ranked No. 8 in the Associated Press poll this week.

Hamlin also rewards Hendrix’s confidence by making some kind of defensive play other than just tackles in each of the Hornets’ first three games. Last week in the 56-14 loss to the Tigers, he had two tackles for a loss. He now has two quarterback hurries, a blocked pass and a sack.

He led the Hornets with six tackles against Tuttle, No. 2 in the Class 3A poll.

“Levi did a real good job last week,” Hendrix said. “There were times I wish he was a step quicker or got rid of his blockers quicker. Still, he does what he’s supposed to do.”

Hamlin, though, was a little harder on himself.

“I missed a couple of tackles,” he said. “I did OK, but I could’ve done better. I’m looking to improve this week against Poteau.”

Offensively, Hamlin has 79 yards rushing with a touchdown. His best game so far was in the season opener against Skiatook when he ran for an eight-yard touchdown while gaining 47 yards on eight carries in the 36-19 victory.

With his effectiveness on both sides of the ball, Hamlin finds it hard to pick his best position.

“I like both of them,” he said. “I began playing fullback in my ninth grade year. I was an outside linebacker, but I didn’t like it and I was moved to defensive end. At defensive end, I can see the field better. I like fullback because I can take on some hits.

“I hurt after a game and I feel kind of bad. But I like contact. It’s fun. I like to hit.”

Text Only