Yesterday, 25 kickers and 7 snappers took the fields in Land O’ Lakes for an opportunity to learn, compete and get some recruiting exposure. Many did just that.
They started with kicking instruction focusing on technique and introducing the players to drills they can use on their own to improve. After a short break, we moved into our competition. No favorites, no big names, just 33 kids each wanting a chance to win. Two 2017 athletes, 4 from the class of 2016, 12 representing 2015 and 15 prospects from the class of 2014 brought their “A game.” But at the end of the day, only 4 stood at the top.
Nicholas Cox edged out Nico Cordero, Ken Burnham and Antonio Miller to win the snapping competition. Cox came in second place in the field goal snapping event and third place in the punt snap event. Nico Cordero was nearly perfect with his field goal snaps. Ken Burnham earned 26 big points and a first place finish in the punt snap event. Overall, the second place finish and third place finish for Cox earned him the most points and he was crowned the champ.
In the field goal kicking competition, Lucus Jose, Bloomingdale took home first place honors. He was 9 for 10, hitting both the big shots from the middle (47 yards and 52 yards) and also knocked in a 45 yarder from the left hash. His only miss was from the right hash, 45 yards deep. Trevor Smith, Cambridge was 8/10 and hit from middle 52 yards deep, coming in second place and Shane NeSmith, Bloomingdale was 7/10 making both shots from the middle (47 yards and 52 yards) and the right hash from 45 yards.
Sterling Hofricher, Armwood won the punt competition. He averaged 4.28 seconds of hang time and 39.13 distance. Totaled 313 punt yards with 5 punts over 40 yards. Jesuit’s Rhett Waldron placed second with a 3.57 hang time, 34.88 average distance, hit 2 big punts of 44 and 47 yards. Gildardo Mata, Lakeland Kathleen placed third: 3.79 average hang time, 34.25 distance average, also had 4 kicks over 4.2 seconds of hang time.
The kick off competition concluded the day and the big legs showed up. Some familiar names rose to the occasion again. Sterling Hofrichter, Armwood won the punt competition and finished second in the kick off event. He averaged 3.88 hang time and 64 yards (All touchbacks). Gildardo Mata placed third in the Punt event and also in the kick off event. He hit a big 71 yarder and a 68 yarder. 9 of 10 kicks were touchbacks, averaging 3.64 hang time and 62.5 yards. The champion comes from Tarpon Spring. Louis Zervos kicked 9 touchbacks, all over 63 yards. His only miss was a 59 yard kick. He had an average of 3.81 hang time and 64.88 yards.
Armwood’s Sterling Hofrichter also won the overall crown. His point total from all three events earned him the “Big Boot!” He placed 4th in Field Goals, second in Kick Offs, first in Punts. Hofrichter beat the second place overall finisher, Trevor Smith by 80 points. Smith held off Gildardo Mata (third place) by 8 points.