From Deseret News archives:
Deseret News 2008 Mr. Football: Craig Bills
Model Player: Timpview star established standard for high school safeties
PROVO — With his football days at Timpview High over, Craig Bills is now hoping to become a model.
Not one who walks down fashion runways or poses for magazine covers in designer clothing — even though that would be a fairly desirable gig for a teen — but one that other football players emulate and strive to match.
He's hoping his three years as a starting safety at Timpview have set the standard on how a top-notch football player and defensive back should play, and the skills that they should possess.
"I hope those who have watched me play look at me as someone who has a good work ethic, as someone who always played hard, and that I played football the way football is supposed to be played," Bills said.
If the highlight-reel clips, his three state titles and two previous all-state awards don't help validate his claim, then perhaps being honored as the Deseret News 2008 Mr. Football might be the icing on the cake.
"It's a very good feeling to know that I'm getting recognized for the way I play on the field," Bills said.
Thunderbird coach Louis Wong believes there's no more deserving player in the state for the award than the one who has been a team leader on arguably the state's top defense for the past three seasons, on a team that has won 36 straight games and three straight 4A state titles.
"He's the one who directs our defense, which has been dominant all three years that he's been doing that," Wong said. "He's been the quarterback on our team defensively, and he's for sure one of the most competitive players that I've ever coached."
If setting the standard is what Bills aimed to accomplish, he's done that, Wong said. According to Wong, Mountain Crest coach Mark Wootton complimented Bills as the top safety in Utah, even when including all of the colleges. That might be exaggerating some, but Wong said Bills is definitely one of Utah's best high school safeties ever.
"He sets the tone as far as what's expected out of a safety and what's expected out of players here at Timpview," Wong said.
Each year Bills has improved his strength, speed and knowledge of the game by never missing a workout and always heeding the words of his coaches. Scouts say few can read the run better, few tackle better, and few defend the pass better.
"He has every element ... he reads well, he's quick to the ball and he'll come up and take your head off a couple of times in the middle and you'll never want to throw it there again," Wong said.
Playing physical football and laying thunderous hits on receivers and running backs is certainly Bills' trademark.
