Like his uncle, a former Dallas Cowboy, this receiver thrives in a run-first offense

The Hill family has proven it’s not how often you catch a pass, it’s how you capitalize on the opportunity when it arises.

Keanu Hill, a junior wide receiver for the Euless Trinity Trojans, plays in a heavily run-oriented offense. Still, he averaged over 16 yards on each of the team-leading 26 times he caught the ball (for a team-best 426 yards) during the Trojans’ recently completed 11-3 season that saw them advance four rounds in the Class 6A Division I playoffs.

His father, Lloyd Hill, earned All-American status at Texas Tech in 1992 in an age when the Southwest Conference was all about running the ball. In fact, he led the league in 1993 with 57 catches, and when the league disbanded, he was the career receiving yards leader with 3,059.

That was followed by a professional career, mostly in the Arena Football League, that last a few years.

“Around age five, I knew I wanted to be a wide receiver,” Keanu said. “I wanted to carry it on, that tradition.”

Oh, and that tradition includes his uncle, Roy Williams. Yes, that Roy Williams, who, like Lloyd (Roy’s brother) went from a standout career at Odessa Permian — also a non-passing school — to success in college (Texas) and played several seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.

“Every time I’m with him I show him some of my film and we discuss what I’m doing right and how I can be better in some areas,” Keanu said of his uncle. “He lives in Odessa now, so I don’t see him as much anymore. But I love talking about pass-catching with him.”

Keanu and Lloyd have a special bond, and a large part of it is their love for catching passes and the formats in which they have played.

“My dad showed me some old videos, how he came off the ball and such,” Keanu said. “He didn’t wear gloves. Today, everybody wears gloves. I only wear them when my hand is hurt, or my finger is hurt, but I don’t care for them that much.”

And no matter what time Keanu makes it in after a game, he and his dad watch video and enjoy some bonding time.

“We stay up and watch film, and then the next day we go and work on things,” Keanu said. “Even when we played in Oklahoma, he and I stayed up. Those are the best times.”

Keanu said his family legacy inspires him because, “It makes me want to be better than them. That’s a tough task, because they were so good.”

Based on his progress, however, Keanu is on his way. He only caught five passes for 76 yards as a sophomore — though two did go for touchdowns.

And while he understands running the ball is the first priority for the Trojans, he’s ready when the passes do come his way.

“Coach depends on me to catch the ball, that’s my role,” Keanu said. “If the running game’s not working, they throw to me, and I have to catch it. There are no other options for me.

“I would like to see us throw more in the future. What receiver wouldn’t? My quarterback has a good arm and he knows he has a good wide receiver.”

Trinity coach Chris Jensen, in fact, depends on Keanu for more than catching footballs. He praised his standout for his team-lifting attitude and just being a good student.

“He’s always upbeat and positive. Great teammate,” Jensen said. “It’s obvious to his teachers and coaches that his parents have done a great job bringing him up.”

Speaking of film, his father played for Permian when H.G. Bissinger was doing research for his best-selling book “Friday Night Lights.”

“He was a junior on that team,” Keanu said. “I’ve seen that movie about 100 times. I always call my dad in the room when I’m flipping around and it’s on, or when I put in the DVD. It’s one of my favorite movies, not just because it’s about my dad’s team, but it’s just a great movie.”

Keanu chuckles when the fact is brought up that the movie has Permian playing Dallas Carter for the state championship. In fact, they met in the state semifinals in 1988, and Permian would win the title the next year.

“That’s the only thing wrong with that movie,” he said. “But it’s still great.”

The movie also had Dallas Jesuit in the UIL playoffs, though Jesuit didn’t join the UIL until several years later.

“Okay, that too,” Keanu said with a laugh. “But I’ll still watch it any time I get a chance, and this is a great time of year to watch it also.”

And yes, he’s read the book.

“I’ve only read the book twice. I like watching movies better,” he said, laughing.

Keanu and his family moved from Grand Prairie to Euless before his freshman season. He realizes the irony that he would have been a part of the South Grand Prairie program that upset a 10-0 Trojans squad in bi-district in 2015.

“I think about that, and I still have friends there, but I love it here and I’m glad I’m part of this team,” he said.

This season was a special one for Keanu and the Trojans. After back-to-back first-round playoff exits, something unusual for the Trinity program, they reached the state quarterfinals. Along the way they upended Plano (7-4), Duncanville (11-1) and Midland Lee (10-3) before finally falling to perennial power Allen (14-0).

Though he’s got plenty of time to think about it, Keanu said he definitely wants to play in college. His older sister, Chastity Hill, plays volleyball for Texas A&M-Commerce.

“I want to go where they’re balanced, like Alabama, TCU or Ohio State,” Keanu said, adding, “I hope ’Bama wins the championship. I lost 10 bucks to my dad last season when Clemson beat them last year.”

He would also like to have a chance at playing professionally, like his dad and uncle. But he is also considering a career in pharmacy at some point in his life — even if it’s after a pro career.

“I’m really good at biology and chemistry,” Keanu said, adding that he also has a 103 average in physics. “Playing pro football has been a dream since I was a little kid, but my dad wants me to focus on that task in front of me, and that’s school.”

This story was originally published December 18, 2017 at 4:38 PM with the headline "Like his uncle, a former Dallas Cowboy, this receiver thrives in a run-first offense."