Audubon's Hill keeping QB legacy alive

Junior Brandon Hill has a presence as he walks around Audubon. Hill understands he is looked at a little differently, which isn't bad when you are continuing a legacy of excellence.

While it might be hyperbole to call Audubon a factory for quarterbacks, the Green Wave have enjoyed a recent history that is the envy of the Colonial Conference - and beyond.

Teams often are known for excellence at certain positions. Penn State is known as Linebacker U. Southern Cal churns out top-flight tailbacks.

Now it's Audubon with quarterbacks, going back to Joe Flacco.

You might have seen Flacco, an all-Colonial Conference quarterback in 2001 and 2002, scamper for a 38-yard touchdown in his NFL debut Sept. 7 for the Baltimore Ravens.

In 2004, Dan Jakubowski earned all-conference honors as an Audubon quarterback. Then came Steve Rizzo, who got a scholarship to Colgate. He was a three-time all-conference selection from 2005 through last season.

Now, the 6-foot-5, 210-pound Hill steps into the quarterback tradition, hoping to gain a foothold like his predecessors.

He has the size and an arm that has drawn comparisons to Flacco.

Hill's completing 12 of 14 passes for 196 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in Saturday's opening 28-0 win against Overbrook won't do much to stop the hype.

To keep him grounded, Hill's coaches teased about his two incompletions.

"It's definitely an honor to play quarterback at Audubon," Hill said. "Right now, things are in my hands, and it's a great feeling."

That doesn't mean he is without pressure.

"He never said anything, but I think he felt some pressure and wanted to do so well because of the legacy that exists here," Audubon coach Ralph Schiavo said. "In the first game, we didn't want him to do too much, put too much pressure on him."

Hill said he learned so much from Rizzo, and he loves playing in the spread offense of Schiavo, a former Cherokee receiver who knows how much fun the pitch-and-catch game can be.

Hill said that he gets stares when walking around town, understanding that the whispers likely are suggesting he is the kid next in line.

"Being a quarterback here in Audubon, you have to handle the pressure," Hill said. "But who wouldn't want to be in this situation?"

Hill said that even before his opening game he was offered a football scholarship by Rutgers. He had attended a camp at the school, and the coaches got to see him in action.

There could be a few more offers before his high school career ends.

Hill also will benefit from another position of strength at Audubon - wide receiver. Senior Matt Roldan is among the best in South Jersey.

"You couldn't ask for a better group of teammates," Hill said.

Recently, Schiavo was presented with a framed Baltimore Ravens jersey delivered to the school from Flacco. Inscribed on the jersey was, "Thanks Coach Schiavo."

It was an example of a big-time athlete not forgetting his roots. Schiavo was touched by the gesture.

Hill thought it was classy and cool. Probably in the back of his mind, he would like to send Schiavo a jersey one day.

Hill isn't trying to be the next Flacco or even the next Rizzo. Being plain old Brandon Hill is good enough for him. It appears good enough to keep the impressive quarterback tradition going strong at Audubon.