PREP ZONE SCHEDULE | CIF-SS PLAYOFF BRACKETS
There may not be a quarterback who entered the 2013 season with more intrigue than Upland junior Tyler Hilinski. He received plenty of interest and accolades on the 7-on-7 circuit before the season, but didn't have any game film.
He spent all of last season backing up his older brother, Kelly, at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.
This season, in Tyler's first time seeing extended action, he's thrown for nearly 2,500 yards, 25 touchdowns and just seven interceptions while completing 66 percent of his passes for Upland (8-3), which will take on Corona Santiago (6-5) in an Inland Division second-round matchup on Friday at 7 p.m. on FOX Sports West in the CIF Southern Section Ford Game of the Week presented by Farmers Insurance.
It's a rematch from Upland's 43-42 overtime win over the Sharks in Week 4. In the meantime, here's 10 things you may not know about the Upland signal caller.
Nickname
Since he can remember, likely going as far back as being a four-years-old, his mom has been calling him "Mr. T" or "T-Bird"
Late-night snack
Hilinski is a fan of sugar cookies but he'd much rather have them before they're baked. Give him the cookie dough.
"(My mom) always makes cookies for the team and she'll always get me some extra cookie dough that I can eat," he said.
Favorite team
Like many New England Patriots fans on Monday night Hilinski wasn't pleased with the way the game ended at Carolina, but that or the injuries or anything else that's happened this season has made him waver.
"I always got all faith in Tom Brady," he said. "I think they're going to bounce back and be fine."
Who would play you in the movie?
This is a no-brainer for Hilinski.
"Brad Pitt would definitely be the guy to play me," he said. "I loved him in World War Z …back when he played in 'Ocean's Eleven' and '‘Ocean's Thirteen', he was a crack up and I'd like him to be me."
No. 9
These days you can catch Hilinski wearing No. 9. That's only because No. 4 was already taken. He likes No. 4 because of former New York Yankees great Lou Gehrig. Hilinkski's grandmother passed away from Lou Gehrig's disease and he's worn No. 4 since.
"I'll be wearing No. 4 next year," he said.
Biggest fear
Not playing another football game.
Pregame ritual
Hilinski likes to keep the mood light so it wouldn't be out of the norm to find him joking with teammates before a game, but that's not all.
"(I) listen to (my) favorite country music on the ride to the game," he said.
Those artists include Rascal Flatts and Hunter Hayes.
"It kind of just calms me and gets me ready for the game."
Hobbies
Even when Hilinski isn't playing football, he's working on football. However, in his downtime he likes watching movies with his family.
"That's one of my favorite things to do," he said. "We love to watch movies and whatever comes out new we like to go out and go to the movies."
iPod
If you're going through Hilinski's iPod you may find Drake, Kid Cudi, Frank Ocean, and, of course, Rascal Flatts.
Celebrity crush
Blake Lively.
