His given name sounds like an accountant or an actuary.

Senior running back Hiram Grigsby III, however, is truly a master of numbers, with a unique understanding of systems and the hallowed history of powerhouse Joliet Catholic.

“It is definitely an honor and a blessing being the No. 1 running back here,” said Grigsby, who goes by HJ as his first name. “I looked up to the guys who came before me.

“They put me under their wing and taught me everything I needed to know.”

As a junior last year, Grigsby rushed for 1,362 yards and scored 16 touchdowns for the Hilltoppers, who are No. 8 in the Daily Southtown’s preseason rankings.

It established Grigsby in the pantheon of 1,000-yard rushers for Joliet Catholic, but heading into last season, he was an unknown quantity to the Hilltoppers’ coaching staff.

“He wasn’t even our starter the first game last year,” Joliet Catholic coach Jake Jaworski said of Grigsby, who played only spot minutes as a sophomore for the Hilltoppers’ Class 4A state championship team. “He’s a guy with a slender frame, and we had some more physical backs.

“In our first game, he went 80 yards for a touchdown on his first or second carry. We said, ‘That’s the guy we have to get the ball to.’”

Now, Grigsby is the centerpiece in the backfield as the Hilltoppers make the move to the CCL/ESCC Green.

Grigsby is one of three returning offensive starters for Joliet Catholic, which has have won 15 state championships, including state titles in 2018 and 2021 under Jaworski.

Five defensive starters also return.

The conference’s offensive player of the year in 2022, Grigsby has 12 college scholarship offers for football, with Butler and Central Michigan at the top of the list.

A three-sport athlete, Grigsby is a two-time state qualifier in the long jump for track and a starter at guard in basketball. He understands playing up to the moment.

“I really feel like my style is more of a between-the-tackles guy,” he said. “I love being physical — getting right between guys, bounce off and get 20 yards.

“I typically do that for my team. They put the trust in me and give me the ball so that I can make things happen.”

Grigsby’s value extends beyond the numbers, according to senior linebacker Max Hrvatin.

“HJ is a selfless player,” Hrvatin said. “He would go any distance for our team to succeed. He is an extremely hard worker whose work ethic puts him apart from others.”

Quiet and unassuming, Grigsby shows a different mentality on the field, senior linebacker Griffin Alessio pointed out.

“He leads by example,” Alessio said. “He is an elite running back because of his great speed and his ability to shift around the defenders.”

Grigsby has been timed at 4.2 seconds in the 40-yard dash, but getting faster and quicker to the hole were points of emphasis in the summer.

“I wanted to get even faster on my downhill speed,” he said. “I also wanted to work on going through the gap a little smoother instead of stuttering. I want to be able to slide through and have my hips square.”

After opening the season by playing a nonconference game on Friday, Aug. 25 at Iowa City, Joliet Catholic returns home to host to archrival Providence in Week 2.

Last season, the Hilltoppers lost 24-14 to the Celtics in the second round of the state playoffs.

“Two years ago, we had that awfully nice hardware and that felt pretty good,” Grigsby said. “We’re heading in the right direction. Nobody has worked harder than us, and the coaches are getting us right.

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“I feel good.”

Team: Joliet Catholic.

2022 record: 8-3.

Offensive leaders: HJ Grigsby, senior, running back; Brady McKeon, senior, offensive lineman; Cameron Juricich, junior, offensive lineman; Adrian Washington, senior, receiver.

Defensive leaders: Dillan Johnson, senior, defensive lineman; Max Hrvatin, senior, linebacker; Tai Sesta, senior, defensive back; Griffin Alessio, senior, linebacker.

X-factor: Patrick Durkin, senior, kicker.

Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.