The stands are full. The crowd is roaring in support of their favorite team. The pressure was on as Merrillville faced off against our Broadway rival, Andrean.

At the center of pressure, new starting quarterback Junior Michael Hill has been lighting it up on the field, leading the DAC in passing yards. 

“I was very nervous, all the way up until Friday,” Michael said. “Once Friday hit I just wanted to play.” 

During the explosive game, Michael threw for four touchdown passes and about 300 yards, which he attributes the success to his team. 

“The team has always helped me, they always just give me encouragement even when I’m doing bad, they help me keep my head up and just have fun playing the game.” he said.

Not only does he appreciate their encouragement, but he has a close bond with his entire offense.

“I’m close to my O-line, I love those guys,” Michael said, “Cam and JQ? I love those guys, lightning and thunder.”

Senior Jac’Quarious Johnson, also known as JQ, describes Micheal as a man to compete with on the field.

“I told Cam, but Micheal gotta know too. It’s a competition of who can score more and who can get the most yards.” Johnson said. 

You can see the competition paying off on the field too, with Micheal averaging 300-plus all-purpose yards a game, while his running backs Junior Cameron Jordan and JQ averaged 89 and 74 yards a game respectively. 

The coaches believe in Micheal too, Offensive Coordinator Nick Sabinas has high praise and expectations for his growth. 

“MJ is 100 percent still growing, and I say that as a great positive,” Sabinas said.  “He wants to continue to grow, he wants to get better each day, wants to work.”

With the season progressing, the team has suffered tough losses to top teams despite Michael’s great performances.

“We gotta do better offensively, if that means I have to get less passing yards and get the run game in action, that’s what we gotta do,” Michael said. 

Hill is confident in the Pirates success the rest of the season.

“If we can get on the same page, we will be the best team in 5A,” Michael said.