PIGSKIN PRIDE—Three years after moving to Newbury Park from Wilmington, N.C., Christian Hutchins joined the Newbury Park Steelers, a youth organization where he learned to play football. Christian Hutchins learned all about hard work while growing up in the Tar Heel state.

"My whole family was raised in tobacco fields," said the 17yearold Newbury Park High student-athlete who spent nine years living in Wilmington, N.C.

"Out there, work ethic is the No. 1 thing for everyone."

Staying true to his hardworking roots—Hutchins and his family moved from Wilmington to Newbury Park when he was in fourth grade—the senior-to-be has completely dedicated himself to becoming the best football player he can for the Panthers this fall.

A twiceaday summer workout regimen has helped the linebacker/wide receiver add 20 pounds of muscle mass to his 6-foot-2 frame.

At a lean 190 pounds, Hutchins enters the 2009 season looking like a potential matchup nightmare for opposing coaches.

"Most of the guys in (the gym) tend to stay within the framework of their own body, but Christian kind of takes it to a new level by working out even harder," said Patrick Smith, Newbury Park's 6foot2, 295pound starting right guard.

"He's kind of a big man in a little man's body, and he's almost up there with most of the linemen as far as strength goes. When you put that on the field and mix in his speed, it makes for a dangerous combination," Smith said.

During a recent combine the two players attended at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Hutchins was clocked as low as 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He said he can also bench press 280 pounds.

Panther head coach Gary Fabricius describes Hutchins as a well-rounded individual who's beginning to get noticed by college recruiters.

"He's one of those guys who passes the eyeball test when colleges come through here," Fabricius said. "They look and they say, 'Gosh, he's a good-looking kid.'

"Plus his work ethic is good. He's worked hard in the weight room. He's worked hard in the classroom. Now we just need him to be a good player out on the field."

Hutchins is expected to play a big role on both sides of the ball for NPHS.

Offensively, he'll primarily line up as a slot receiver but could also see time at halfback, Fabricius said.

Because of Hutchins' physical attributes, linebackers can expect to have their hands full trying to cover him, while defensive backs will likely be at a size disadvantage, the coach added.

"Other, smaller receivers might get manhandled when they're put up against linebackers on the inside," Hutchins said. "But my size and strength allows me to work off of them, and I can go long on them, too."

With several highprofile returnees on offense, including quarterback Jake Geringer, running back Cameron Roberson and wideout Phillip Muscarella, Hutchins should have plenty of opportunities to make plays in the Panthers' wide-open attack.

"Christian has really tried to build a rapport with (Geringer)," Fabricius said. "He's worked on his hands, on catching the ball."

On the defensive side, Hutchins occupies a hybrid linebacker/safety role for the Black Cat Attack.

In the team's 3-5-3 scheme— three linemen, five linebackers and three defensive backs—he'll line up in the "falcon" position, a roving outside linebacker who can drop into coverage or stay near the line of scrimmage to stuff the run.

Last year's Panther defense allowed only 19.3 points per game despite fielding several first-year starters. With a solid group of returnees, Hutchins expects even better results in '09.

"Our experiences last season should help," he said. "There's a lot more maturity on this defense now."

As impressive as he's been in the weight room this offseason, Hutchins has always been a standout in the classroom.

He carries a 3.6 cumulative grade-point average while taking Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes.

This fall, Hutchins will take AP courses in calculus, physics, history and English. He's also enrolled in a photography class, the first elective he's had at NPHS.

"School has always been a top priority in my family," said Hutchins, adding that he's interested in possibly following his father's footsteps with a career in engineering.

He's also a bit of a Southern gentleman, and one heck of a handyman.

When his mother, Vicky, needed a tree removed from the yard last year, Hutchins grabbed an ax and went to work.

"I couldn't lift weights that day because it ripped up my hands," he said. "But it was for my mom, so I couldn't turn her down."