- November 27, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
Adrian Killins fell in love with football at the age of five. His peers quickly realized that he was the fastest player on the field. Now, as a running back and track star for Mainland High School, he has continued to put his speed on display.
Growing up as the son as a fireman, Killins learned toughness and quickness. After watching football on television, he went out to the park and began playing flag football. While getting better at the sport, he began playing tackle football and realized that he had to run a lot faster to escape bigger players.
“I was always one of the shortest and youngest players,” Killins said.
Although Killins was always the smallest kid, that didn’t stop him from being one of the fastest.
As Killins evolved into a being a good football player, his current track coach, Freddie Morell, introduced him to running for track.
“It was frustrating for me, at first, because everyone seemed taller and faster than I was, so I just told myself that I was going to become the best,” he said. That’s exactly what he did.
The next track season, Killins made it to nationals for track and finished second in the 12-year-old division for the 100- and 200-meters races.
“That felt really good,” Killins said. “It showed me that I was really working hard.”
Killins hasn’t stopped working hard in track or football. He finished the regular season as one of the top ranked running backs in the area, running for 803 yards and 11 touchdowns. In his first playoff game this season against South Lake, Killins ran for 196 yards and three touchdowns to help Mainland win 42-7.
Being a Mainland star running back is a big accomplishment, according to Killins. When he sees young kids around the city and in the football stands, they always stop him, give him props and tell him how they want to be like him.
“I always let them know that, if they stay in school, stay out of trouble and stay away from drugs, then they can do anything in life,” he said.
Up next for Killins and Mainland are the Edgewater Fightin’ Eagles Friday, Nov. 21, at Municipal Stadium.
“We’ve been coming up short, since I’ve been here,” Killins added. “I don’t plan on coming up short this year. We want to go all the way to state and bring it home.”
