Quitman High School (QHS) graduating senior Hill Norris is getting an opportunity to cap off his high school football career with an appearance in the FCAHeart of Champions Bowl June 13 at Lobo Stadium in Longview. Later this summer, he embarks on his next life's journey to the University of Alabama with the goal of becoming an FBI agent.

This is the fifth annual football all-star game sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Norris has been chosen to play for the Red team. He has been a fixture in the Quitman athletic program throughout high school. This past year, Norris made First Team All-District offensive lineman and honorable mention All East Texas by the Tyler Morning Telegraph.

Norris said there are important life lessons learned from the game of football "I guess the thing I have learned that will carry with through life is teamwork and never giving up no matter the circumstances," Norris said. "I am excited to get to play one more game of football with some of the best players from all over East Texas."

Former Quitman Coach Shane Webber made a big impression on Norris. "Coach Webber taught me how to focus on teamwork and being together as a team. He expected us to put our best efforts on the field and in the weight room," he explained. "He showed us how to always build each other up and not get down on each other."

Norris also credits his mother, Lyndsey Norris , and late grandmother, Suzanne Daniel, for their direction in his life. "My Mom is a single mom who made sure I was raised right. They both taught me everything I need to know about morals and being a good person, they taught me about life."

Norris added that several of his teachers at Quitman have helped him progress through school and get him ready for his college career. "I had several teachers at QHS who have been big influences on me. They really care about their students here," he added.

Norris will be graduating next week from the distinguished program with a 4.77 (97.71) grade point average and has jump-started his college career earning 33 hours of dual credit. His goal is to receive bachelor and master degrees at Alabama before embarking on a career in the FBI.

He has had an active career outside of football at QHS. Not only has he won accolades for his football talents, Norris was a Grand Champion at the Wood County Junior Livestock Show in Agriculture Mechanics. He won numerous tech awards participating in one act play (OAP) competition and was a part of the state runner-up OAP team his junior year.

He received the FFA Green Hand Award his freshman year, FFA Lone Star Degree his junior year, and FFA Forestry state qualifier, and participated in several FFA Leadership Development events. He has been in National Honor Society for three years and was elected vice-president of his class each year in high school. Norris was also a member of the Quitman bass fishing team.

Norris was has been involved in the community participating in youth group special projects including child advocacy, Mission Waco, and Helping Hands of Waco during his junior year. He worked with Christmas Sharing Plus in Quitman as a volunteer and with People Attempting to Help (PATH), Meals on Wheels and Habitat for Humanity.

Norris will leave June 10 to stay and work out for the game with the other all stars at Tyler Junior College before playing in the June 13 game. Players are selected from Class A through 6A for the contest. The game will have a 6:30 p.m. kick-off at Longview's Lobo Stadium June 13.