Interview: Fort Smith Southside 2016 LB Sic Kilinc Turned in a MVP Kind of Season for the Rebels

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Stats can sometimes be misleading but the combination of stats and tape always shows the truth. One truism about the 2015 Arkansas high school football season, Si Kilinc turned in a defensive MVP kind of season for the entire state but without much fanfare.

The praise is big as is the statement, but hard to argue with Kilinc’s accomplishments. The 6’1”, 190 pound, linebacker outperformed every other player in the state while playing in the toughest conference in Arkansas and at the highest level, Class 7A. What’s all the fuss about? 163 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, four sacks, six pass break ups, two forced fumbles, two fumbles recovered, and one interception.

Along the way to an MVP worthy season for Kilinc, the Rebels turned in an 8-5 season making it to the semifinals of the state playoffs before falling 37-7 to Har-Ber (Springdale), the 2015 state runner-up. Against Har-Ber, Kilinc closed out his high school career going all out compiling 16 tackles with five tackles for a loss, and a sack while covering the opposition’s best receiver for the majority of the game.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Si after the completion of his senior year to get his overall thoughts on Southside’s 2015 season, how he feels about his senior campaign, and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Si, what a terrific year for you and Southside. Looking back, from beginning to end, how did the season go for you?

“Personally, it went the way I wanted. I wanted to come in make a bunch of tackles. I wanted over 100 tackles and I got 163 and I had 32 tackles for a loss. Stats wise it went great. I feel like, in our conference there are a lot of great players. I wanted to matched up with them and be that guy all the guys know and all the coaches know. After our last game, I was walking off the field and the coach from Har-Ber walked up gave me a hug and said “I love playing and competing against guys like you.”

“I wanted to be remembered for my play on the field and have a lasting impact for being a leader. I met with my defensive coordinator after the season was over, we had a meeting just the two of us. He said, “Si, you came in your sophomore year and worked hard to get better. The guys behind you are going to do things differently because of you. You left an impact on the school. That was my main goal, to leave a positive impact.”

How was the last game for you against Har-Ber? Throughout the season they were one of the best teams in the state and playoff games are a one-game season. From being amped up at the beginning to fighting through until the end, how was that roller coaster of an event for you?

“At first – the whole game plan was to stop their top wide receiver, No. 19 (Tyler Blackston). He had been showing out (29 receptions, 635 yards, 11 TDs) and had the game winning touchdown the game before. All week leading up to the game I worked on getting ready to shut him down. I worked on back peddling and covering whatever routes he may run. I was isolated on him during the game. When I was covering him I think they threw three passes to him and those were screens.

“Har-Ber started going up the middle where I would normally line up so I knew I had to come from that side to make plays. In the second half we started running more blitzes and then I started creeping up. I’d pretend I was blitzing. The quarterback would tell No. 19 to come up. He’d say “block Si.” They were giving tells. I had more tackles in the second half because of that. We had a safety playing 20 yards back to stop their long bombs. They’ll run three times down the middle and then throw the ball deep to take a shot.”

The end of season honors have started coming out. I understand you were named All-Area first-team and first-team 7A West All-Conference. Congratulations.

“Thank you.”

That should help with recruiting and with recruiting, I know you have an offer from Northeastern State University and Army, Louisiana-Monroe, San Diego, Furman, Penn, Stanford, and UCA (Central Arkansas) have all shown interest in you. Are any other schools showing interest in you right now?

“I have an offer from Saint Francis University and another from Bethel College. Wofford, in South Carolina, has shown a lot of interest. Samford is showing interest. Coach (Lance) Anderson (director of defense) from Stanford still checks up on me. Robert Morris has contacted me, they may have an offer for me. Army is showing some heavy interest as well.”

You’ve been on a couple of visits to Louisiana-Monroe and SMU. How did the ULM visit go?

“It went well. Everything was good there, we have a lot of good communication. A lot of schools have told me they are waiting until the season ends and the recruiting will start going crazy. My visit to SMU went well too.”

How is everything going in the classroom?

“I have a 3.8, all A’s and one B.”

What did you score on your ACT?

“I got a 22 on my ACT.”

You posted a heartfelt message online about being the last Southside team with Rebels being the mascot. What did your post read?

“I wrote – Although I never got the privilege of winning a state championship, I did get the privilege of playing for a program that has blessed me with great friends, mentors, and has helped me become a better man. It’s been an honor to be a part of the last Rebel graduating class. I will forever bleed Red and Blue.

“I’m proud and thankful to be that last class. Would have been great had we won state.”

What is the name of the new school mascot?”

“The Mavericks.”

Si, thanks for your time today and good luck with recruiting the rest of the way.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Kilinc family; Si being interviewed by local media.

Photo credit: Kilinc family; No. 36 Si Kilinc takes the field as a Southside team captain.