by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
FROM THE SUBSCRIBER ONLY PIECE:
CHRIS HILTON (LOUISIANA) WR
-ZACHARY HIGH 2019 STATS:
1,388 YARDS
73 CATCHES
18 TDs
19 YARDS PER CATCH
-ZACHARY HIGH 2018 STATS:
542 YARDS
30 CATCHES
7 TDs
18.1 YARDS PER CATCH
A speedy, full force gale out wide who's brilliance has directly delivered a championship ring upon his finger (as well as one of the most incredible state title game moments in recent Louisiana high school football lore):
Many will remember Chris for his epic 80 yard shuttle screen catch and burn vs West Monroe in the 2018 5A state title game, a now legendary play which came on a do-or-die 3rd & 10 moment in the final minutes of the 4th quarter, capturing Zachary vs West Monroe's madcap lunacy on that wild night inside the Superdome..... with everything on the line.
“Once I broke free, I looked up at the big screen and saw that he was behind me and I had to turn on the jets,” Hilton said to WAFB's Jacques Doucet & Craig Loper, recalling his 80 yard gallop into free space, using his boundless speed to chew up miles of real estate.
This title-winning moment also demonstrated (for anyone to see) a superior receiving talent already steps ahead of his opponents.... and he was only a sophomore.
Throughout his sophomore & junior campaigns at Zachary High, Chris Hilton Jr caught 73 passes for 1,388 yards and 18 receiving TDs, establishing his legend before attracting the LSU offer from Mickey Joseph & Kevin Faulk.
Setting up Coach Brewerton's Zachary with a deep run in this last year's playoffs (falling 31-28 in the 5A semifinals to Acadiana), Hilton leaves Zachary with a state title in football, three consecutive state high jumping championships (clearing 7 feet every time), joining his father by winning a 400 meter dash state title (50.71 seconds) and last but not least, committing Zachary's greatest moment in school history......he'll forever be an ambassador of that great institution....
Now, Chris Jr sets his sights on taking over the SEC...one catch, one playmaking circus grab, one broken tackle after another...right alongside his friend Brian Thomas Jr.
Among one of the most talented WR corps in LSU history (at least in the top 3 all time), Hilton provides the furious speed & unearthly hops next to Brian Thomas Jr's all-around metaphysical atrocities, Deion Smith's aerial magnetism, Malik Nabers' adventurous agility and Jack Bech's towering thunderdome.
When the Tigers lost Jo Jo Earle to Alabama's last minute flip just before National Signing Day, I felt there was only one young man on the entire roster (outside of Kayshon Boutte) who could replace that kind of otherworldly athleticism and dynamism:
The "Olympian Tiger": Chris Hilton Jr.
Ranked 3rd behind Earle & Thomas Jr by LSU Odyssey, Hilton Jr owns certain abilities that destroy a modern day defense, just like Kayshon Boutte....and while he didn't capture eye popping statistics in his senior season, I'm done letting anyone underrate this young man....in fact, he's likely to become the freshman WR who explodes this season.
Even if Hilton is still raw, his undeniable pace should terrify coordinators, meaning he should see plenty of time from Offensive Coordinator Jake Peetz's playbook. Drawing constant attention and at least one safety away from LSU's bountiful weapons (not to mention clearing the path for the running game by wearing down opponents), Hilton's acceleration could be utilized to maximum devastating effect.
Imagine Hilton & Boutte out there together...with all of our other weapons: a hungry Koy Moore, a towering Jaray Jenkins, perhaps even Arik Gilbert....how in God's name could anyone cover us?
That's Matchup Heaven for us and Matchup Hell for our opponents, or as Peetz aptly put it: "our dream, they're nightmare."
Watch for Hilton Jr to fly high during 2021, proving himself already on the practice field and impressing LSU's coaching staff beyond measure.
Speed kills...but in combination with his full athletic repertoire, Chris is the full package.
Give him the ball & watch him geaux. Chris takes the roof off, stretches or guts 'em underneath & can mercilessly tear off for a touchdown from anywhere on the field...which West Monroe found out the hard way.
by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
Copyright 2021 Uninterrupted Writings Inc LLC
SHOUTOUTS: CHRIS JR, WELCOME!!!!
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