Justice Hill Named 2018 Landers Award Winner

Little Rock Christian senior quarterback Justice Hill was named the winner of the 2018 Landers Award during a live 30-minute TV special Wednesday, January 16 on KATV Channel 7.

As the winner, Hill received Jostens ring and a $3,000 scholarship for another football player at his school to put towards college. Other nominated players received special plaques.

Hill will be attending the University of Arkansas where he will play basketball.

There were 13 Arkansas high school football players, 11 seniors and two juniors, nominated. The players nominated were each named Landers Player of the Week during the 2018 football season and then voted on by TV and radio broadcasters and newspaper reporters.

“You’re the top 13 in the state,” Landers told the nominees before the broadcast began. “Win or lose tonight, you’re winners.”

During the live broadcast, KATV Sports Director Steve Sullivan held short interviews with each player.

Before announcing the winner of the Landers Award, Mills Bethea, a senior wide receiver from Stuttgart, was presented the Paul Eels Award.

Players nominated this year are:

• Samy Johnson, Little Rock Catholic High School

• Treylon Burks, Warren High School

• Derrick Wise, Fort Smith Northside High School

• Darius Bowers, Fayetteville High School

• Peyton Holt, Greenwood High School

• Mekel Kentle, Joe T. Robinson High School

• Oscar Adaway, North Little Rock High School

• Hudson Henry, Pulaski Academy

• Latavion Scott, Bryant High School

• Cannon Turner, Arkadelphia High School

• Brandon Thomas, North Little Rock High School

• John David White, Pulaski Academy

Over the years, the Landers Award has become known as the “Heisman of Arkansas High School Football” and this year marks the 19th year for the award.

Previous Landers Award winners are:

• De’Arrius Howard of West Memphis, 2000

• Reed McKinney of Warren, 2001

• Landon Leach of Russellville, 2002

• Peyton Hillis of Conway, 2003

• Darren McFadden of Oak Grove, 2004

• Damien Williams of Springdale, 2005

• A.J. Whitmore of Nashville, 2006

• Tyler Wilson of Greenwood, 2007

• Spencer Keith of Pulaski Academy, 2008

• Michael Dyer of Little Rock Christian, 2009

• Brandon Allen of Fayetteville, 2010

• Fredi Knighten of Pulaski Academy, 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.