At first glance, Deacon Hill resembles an elite tight end prospect, paving the way for ball carriers at the point of attack, or perhaps a menacing defensive lineman, relying on sheer size and power to terrorize opposing offenses. But like many boys, young Deacon dreamed of being the star quarterback, the ultimate glamour position in American football.

So while the 6'4'', 225-pound 16-year-old could easily be confused for one of his Santa Barbara High blockers during their opening game on Friday, August 23, against Buena, Hill will be the one taking the snaps this season. And once you see him throw the ball, you’ll know exactly why.

“It’s just a matter of time for this kid,” thought Santa Barbara High football coach J.T. Stone in 2012, when he first met Hill and his parents: Pe’a Hill, the beefy Polynesian who was a basketball and football standout into college, and Cindy Battistone Hill, an All-American basketball player at San Marcos High and Brigham Young University (BYU). Then Stone learned about Deacon’s three sisters, who all became water polo royalty at Dos Pueblos High before taking the pool for UCLA.