For Cache High School senior Lewis Hill, excellence is not simply an individual goal. It is a responsibility to the teammates beside him, the family that has supported him and the community he represents whenever he steps onto a field.

A three-sport athlete in football, track and field and baseball, Hill enters his final year determined to make the most of every opportunity. His motivation is rooted in a desire to be great, but it also comes from an understanding that his effort affects more than himself.

“I want to be great, but I also don’t want to let my teammates down,” Hill said.

That team-first approach has helped make Hill a football captain for the Bulldogs. He believes success comes from the work athletes are willing to put in when the spotlight is gone and the rest of the competition may be taking time off.

“It’s taken a lot of hard work, and work during days off when everyone else is resting,” Hill said.

So far, the beginning of the football season has stood out as one of his favorite moments. Rather than pointing to one personal achievement, Hill said seeing the team’s offseason work carry over onto the field has been especially rewarding.

“The start of this football season has been my highlight,” Hill said. “When I’ve seen all the hard work my team has put in.”

Hill enjoys the challenge of competing against teammate Braydan Clark, Cache’s left tackle, during defensive practice periods. He also believes Clark deserves more recognition, along with junior Matt Ball, for the work they bring to the program.

“Braydan is made fun of more often than he should while being in the starting lineup,” Hill said. “Matt Ball is a junior and doesn’t get much playing time, so people make fun of him.”

One annual matchup Hill especially enjoys is Clinton, a rivalry he said is consistently competitive and satisfying to win.

Outside athletics, Hill serves on Student Council and participates in broadcasting. Through broadcasting, he will have opportunities to take photos and announce different sports, giving him another way to stay connected to Cache athletics. He said his lighter senior-year class schedule has helped him balance his assignments and activities, as long as he completes work before deadlines.

Hill credits his parents as major influences in his life, recognizing the sacrifices they have made for him. He also points to Coach Poahway, his favorite teacher, for teaching him lessons that extend beyond sports.

“He has taught me so much about life and what it takes to achieve what I want,” Hill said.

For Hill, wearing Cache across his chest means representing his team and community with maximum effort. As a captain, he embraces the higher standard and the message behind it: everyone’s best.