ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Dillon Hall

Rising junior Dillon Hall represented Foundation Academy well on June 13 at the Striker 7-on-7 tournament at the school’s Winter Garden campus. Hall, who plays linebacker, lineman and fullback for the Lions, placed first at the competition’s offensive lineman competition. Against players from schools including Boone and Evans, Hall excelled in tasks such as tire flips, medicine ball throws and one-on-one blocking drills.

How did it feel to take first place in the offensive lineman competition, beating out some competitors from bigger schools?

It was pretty cool. I came in first, and then two other people from our team (Jordan Boast and Casey Lemke) came in second.

Through offseason lifting and the passing league events of the summer, the team spends quite a bit of time together. Do you enjoy that?

I like working out with the team because it makes me push myself more. If I trained on my own, I wouldn’t push myself nearly as hard.

What’s your goal for the summer?

Just to get bigger and then grow as a team.

Do you enjoy strength training and putting in work in the weight room?

I enjoy it. I like to see the results, and then once you go out on the field, you can see how much better you get.

Do you play any other sports?

I also play soccer and tennis (for Foundation Academy).

Of the three, which one are you best at and which one do you enjoy the most?

I’m probably best at football, and I enjoy football the most.

Do those other sports help you stay well-rounded for football?

Soccer, you run a lot so it helps me keep my endurance up. And tennis helps with my footwork.

What’s the energy like among the guys at this point in the summer?

A bunch of people are back, and I think we’re growing closer over the summer. We have a bunch of new assistant coaches. 

Is there a game in particular you’re looking forward to this fall?

West Orange — that’ll be fun. I know a few (guys on the team there).

What was your favorite moment or game from this past season?

I’m going to say Trinity Prep was my favorite game. It was a close game, it was their Homecoming, and we picked the ball off to win the game with like 10 seconds left.

What do you like to do with your downtime?

I like to hang out with my friends, and I work at Chick-fil-A.

Does it get a little hectic during the school year with school, sports and work?

Yeah, because right after football, I have to go to work and then after work you have to do homework, eat and go to bed.

Got any cool trips planned for the coming weeks of the summer?

Next week, I’m going to a (church) camp, and then we have Fourth of July week off. I’m going to the beach the week after.

See any good movies lately?

I just saw “Jurassic World” last night. I thought it was pretty good — it wasn’t too long, and I liked it. It was good compared to the other ones, as well. I’ve seen all of them.

What’s your dream car?

If it was today, I’d have to say a Ford F250, lifted, with big tires.