2018 Landers Award Goes to Justice Hill

January 25th, 2019 by

Justice Hill, a senior quarterback from Little Rock Christian Academy, is the most recent winner of the Landers Award, an honor that has now become known as the “Heisman of Arkansas High School Football.”

Hill was announced the winner of the 2018 Landers Award on Jan. 16 during a special 30-minute live broadcast on KATV Channel 7.

Before the broadcast began, Steve Landers had a few words of wisdom for the players.

“You’re the top 13 in the state,” Landers said. “Win or lose tonight, you’re winners.”

Hill, who will be playing basketball at the University of Arkansas, was given a trophy and special Jostens ring. Additionally, a $3,000 college scholarship will be awarded to another football player at his high school in his honor.

All 13 of the players nominated for this year’s award were named a Landers Player of the Week during the 2018 football season. Arkansas broadcasters and reporters then voted for who they felt deserved the award.

The other 12 nominees are:

• Hudson Henry: Pulaski Academy, Little Rock

• Latavion Scott: Bryant High School

• Cannon Turner: Arkadelphia High School

• Brandon Thomas: North Little Rock High School

• John David White: Pulaski Academy, Little Rock

• Samy Johnson: Catholic High School for Boys, Little Rock

• Treylon Burks: Warren High School

• Derrick Wise: Northside High School, Fort Smith

• Darius Bowers: Fayetteville High School

• Peyton Holt: Greenwood High School

• Mekel Kentle: Joe T. Robinson High School, North Little Rock

• Oscar Adaway: North Little Rock High School

The Landers Award has been presented to an outstanding high school football player every year since 2000 for a total of 19 years.

Past winners are:

• De’Arrius Howard of West Memphis, 2000

• Reid McKinney of Warren, 2001

• Landon Leach of Russellville, 2002

• Peyton Hillis of Conway, 2003

• Darren McFadden of Oak Grove in North Little Rock, 2004

• Damian Williams of Springdale, 2005

• A.J. Whitmore of Nashville, 2006

• Tyler Wilson of Greenwood, 2007

• Spencer Keith of Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, 2008

• Michael Dyer of Little Rock Christian Academy, 2009

• Brandon Allen of Fayetteville, 2010

• Fredi Knighten of Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, 2011

• Drew Morgan of Greenwood, 2012

• Zach Launius of Cabot, 2013

• Ty Story of Charleston, 2014

• LaDarius Skelton of Pine Bluff, 2015

• Taylor Powell of Fayetteville, 2016

• Connor Noland of Greenwood, 2017

Watch the special 30-minute KATV broadcast here.

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