Hill is Grovetown 's first signee

Seth Hill wanted to be part of something new.

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He might not have known how rocky things would be in the beginning. The Grovetown running back was recognized at the school Wednesday when he signed his intent to play football at The Citadel.

Hill, who scored the school's first touchdown, also became its first college signee.

He said the Warriors' inaugural team had its squabbles early in the season.

"Coming from different schools, we'd think, 'That's a Greenbrier kid, that's a Harlem kid,'" Hill said. "By the end of the season, we were just Grovetown."

The Warriors finished 6-4 with a schedule that included a mix of newer programs and powerhouses. Hill was the team's most dynamic player.

The Harlem transplant rushed for more than 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns. He scored on six runs of 55 yards or more.

Hill and Grovetown football coach Rodney Holder believe the back will be a good fit at The Citadel, which recently switched to an option offense.

With the crowded Bulldogs' backfield, Hill could have a better opportunity to get on the field than he might in other systems.

"They looked at him like a d-back -- which is a fullback -- but then they said, 'Heck, as good as he runs and as tough as he is and how he can block, we can make him a wing back, too,'" Holder said. "He'll do well."

Holder said Hill's senior teammates Marvon Danzie and Dominique Mingo should also play somewhere next year, but probably not at the Football Championship Subdivision level.

Holder said Hill's promotion started during the spring of the back's junior year at Harlem. Georgia Southern, Georgia State and Brevard were among other schools interested. None could match the package The Citadel offered.

"They got a steal, I feel like," Holder said. "There's no telling what he can do."

Hill rushed for more than 1,500 yards as a junior at Harlem. He had a choice after he was zoned for Grovetown of whether to stay and graduate at Harlem.

"It's an honor to be the first signee of Grovetown," said Hill, who presented Holder with a plaque before he signed. "I felt like it was a great opportunity. New program, new school -- I couldn't pass it up."