Catch Him If You Can: Returner Darian Hicks Is Top Weapon for Solon

The first time Darian Hicks returned a punt in a varsity football game he lost five yards.

He's been making up for it ever since.

Hicks, Solon's talented junior cornerback, wideout and kick returner, has already put together a season's worth of highlights in just a month of games. The elusive 5-10, 170-pound junior has returned three kickoffs for touchdowns and just missed his fourth against North Royalton Friday night.

Hicks returned a kick 91 yards for a touchdown in the Comets' dominating 62-20 victory and set up a touchdown with an 80-yard kick return. A talented athlete who is a standout long jumper, high jumper and sprint relay competitor for the Solon track and field team, Hicks has been running wild every week.

"He's got great vision and can see the entire field," said Comet head coach Jm McQuaide. "Darian is a really skilled guy and he's good at getting himself into the open field. It's that natural ability to cut, stop and change direction."

"I just find the holes," said Hicks of his success. "I use my speed and my blockers and just run."

Hicks is just as valuable on defense. He had 31 tackles and six interceptions from his cornerback position last season. One of those picks was returned for a touchdown.

"He's a very good cornerback and a receiver," said McQuaide. "He does a lot of things for us."

Hicks will play on offense when the Comets go with a four-receiver set. "I enjoy playing on offense and returning kicks but I really like playing defense," he said. "I want to contribute every place I can."

It should be no surprise that Hicks has plenty of athleticism. His older brother is former Solon star A.J. Hicks, who set a state meet record in the discus last spring and was a highly recruited football player for the Comets. A.J. is now competing at the University of North Carolina.

"He's doing great there," said Darian of his brother. "He likes it a lot."

Opposing teams may have to start thinking about avoiding Hicks when kicking off and punting. He has the potential to break a return for a score every time he touches the ball.

"Kicking off is a tough job," said McQuaide. "It's easier to punt the ball away from someone that it is to stop a kick return. Darian has the ability to make a cut and that helps him find his own running room."

Hicks' two long kick returns were a part of several big plays for Solon Friday night. Nate Hoff recovered a fumble for a touchdown, Ryan Schwenke returned an interception 48 yards for a score and Justin Kresevic picked up a fumble and found the end zone from 17 yards out. Quarterback Patrick Kramer completed just seven passes, but three of them went for touchdowns.

Big plays will make the difference down the stretch as the Comets have some key games ahead. And Darian Hicks will get plenty of attention in the weeks to come. 

Catch him if you can.