There's something about mathematics that always seemed right to Punahou all-purpose football player Dalton Hilliard.

PROFILE         Dalton Hilliard                 » Favorite athletes: Michael Jordan, Adrian Peterson         » Favorite movie: Love & Basketball         » Favorite comedian: Chris Rock         » Favorite food: “;Mom's green bean casserole, every Thanksgiving and Christmas.”;         » Favorite hobby: “;I really enjoy singing. Get in a group and sing the classics, Boyz II Men, Brian McKnight.”;         » Favorite warmup music: Ludacris, DMX         » Favorite teacher/class: Mr. Kingsbury, math         » Favorite thing to do on a day off: “;Hang out with my boys, go to Manti's (Te'o) house, go to the beach.”;

Every theorem, every postulate, every equation has an answer. Merchants of two millennia ago understood the need to recognize zero not just as a symbol, but as an actual number.

Zero is reality and concept. Starting at zero? Hilliard knows it well.

In the many moves the Hilliard ohana has made for father Larry's career in the Marine Corps, Dalton has started over. But all those moves didn't hold the eldest son and his siblings back. If anything, the Hilliards are closer.

That closeness will bring a bit of heartache, as well, when Dalton goes to college this fall. UCLA beckons, and Larry and Amalia Hilliard will be one child closer to an empty nest—not that it'll be completely vacant anytime soon. Kamden is 14 and Paige is only 9.

Dalton carries a 3.3 grade-point average and plans to major in architecture or business.

Designing buildings leaves no room for doubt, but neither does a competitive household. Larry is a former cornerback at Eastern New Mexico. Amalia played softball there, where she met Larry. She played women's pro football for the New York Sharks just six years ago.

“;They're rivals because my dad has played everything, as well,”; Dalton said. “;They're so competitive at everything. One person has to be right and the other person has to be wrong. I just tell them that they're both wrong.”;

Larry led his son step-by-step through the growing years. Dalton, one of the state's top backs, has gained more than 20 pounds of muscle since his freshman year. At 6-foot, 190 pounds, he has the hands of a receiver and the mentality of a running back.

“;I'm more physical now and a lot faster. My freshman year, I was definitely smaller and slower,”; Dalton said. “;In the off-season, my dad's big on the lifting weights, but the main thing he wants me to do is my speed work.”;

UCLA was one of 14 schools to offer Hilliard a scholarship. The first came from Colorado coach Dan Hawkins.

“;The offer came in a pizza box full of fake money with coach Hawkins' head on (the bills). We were blown away because it had the exact amount of money I'd get for the scholarship,”; Hilliard said.

That amount, over four years, came out to $334,000.

“;From there other schools picked up. I'm blessed and grateful,”; he said.

This season, Hilliard has rushed for 348 yards (4.8 per attempt) and eight touchdowns, though his workload has been minimal in the past four games. He had only 12 carries against Word of Life, Damien, Iolani and Pac-Five—the ILH's Division II schools—though he probably could've fattened up those numbers if required.

As a pass catcher, though, Hilliard is matched by few. He lines up at slot and wideout, outmatching smaller defensive backs and slower linebackers. He has 36 receptions for 465 yards and five touchdowns so far.

“;He can be any place on the field and they can use his strengths,”; Kamehameha coach David Stant said. “;He's a threat no matter where he is. He's more dangerous as a receiver than as a running back. He's strong, quick and he can catch—not just run the ball.”;

A versatile offensive weapon can always find a home in Punahou graduate Norm Chow's offense. As the offensive coordinator at UCLA, Chow can probably envision Hilliard's roles.

“;UCLA's going to try him at both positions,”; Punahou coach Kale Ane said. “;They may have more of a need at slot. He has good hands and runs good routes. I think people know where he is at all times, but we put him out there for a reason: for possible mismatches. He usually creates it.”;

Three years ago, Punahou lost in the state final to Kahuku. Hilliard believes this year's team has more weapons.

“;The difference is that we have more versatility now. More players that have different skills. We really utilize that this year,”; he said.

When quarterback Cayman Shutter has tight end Kimo Makaula, Robby Toma, Manti Te'o and Hilliard on the field together, it's a formidable combination of skill-position players matched by no other offense in the state. Role players like Mark Silverstein and Galen Arakawa would post big numbers in most other programs.

But with a crucial matchup against Kamehameha on Saturday, there's no time for hype or headlines.

“;My parents picked up the saying, you do what you have to do so you can do what you want to do. That hit home for me with the recruiting thing, buckling down with school so I can do what I want with football,”; Hilliard said. “;And do what I love.”;

Larry Hilliard has no doubt his son will maintain a steady course.

“;There is one thing about Dalton that has surprised us,”; the father said. “;Years ago, we allowed Dalton to write his goals on the ceiling above his bed. Each night before he went to sleep he would read these goals as constant reminders. We have watched him achieve those goals and then put up new ones and continue working. His perseverance is truly a delightful surprise.”;