Dallas competition winners for National Kicking Championships
Published By Mark
By Mark Maynard / Prokicker.com
ARLINGTON, Tex. – punter Christian Madrigal, kicker Andrew Ferguson and long-snapper Ronald McClelland were Scholarship Division regional champions in this weekend’s Ray Guy Prokicker.com National kicking Championships at the University of Texas-Arlington.
Madrigal had the best average (36.4), longest punt (54), best hang time (4.59) and best average hang time (3.96). James Gardner and Jeremy Callahan finished second and third, respectively, behind Madrigal.
Taylor Long, a Prokicker.com instructor, said the competitors had to deal with a nasty stiff wind. He said Madrigal’s “big leg” made it easier for him.
“With him, the talent is there,” Long said. “It’s all about him being consistent. You see the potential. It’s eye-opening to a coach or an instructor who watches him. There’s no doubt in my mind he could play at one of the levels in college be it Division I, II, III or NAIA.”
Ferguson connected on 100 percent of his field goals, had the best hang time on kickoffs (3.74) and averaged 55.25 to outdistance the competition. Keegan Carter, Garner, Madrigal, Preston Swor, Pancho Alcala and Callhan followed him.
Gardner had the longest kickoff, a 76-yard drive with the wind.
McClelland was the long-snapping champion with a total score of 15. His average snap was 0.88 and best snap was 0.76. Austen Sis and Zachary Singley followed him.
In the High School Division where the competition is for players who are underclassmen, Houston Ray dominated the kicking competition. He made 100 percent of his field goals, had the longest kick (74) and best hang time (3.96).
Following him, in order, was: Austin Shoemake, Alex Van Sensus, Spencer Perkins and Christophre Thompson.
In punting, Sam Kuhter was the regional winner. He averaged 39.7 per punt and had a long punt of 56 yards.
The best punting hang time went to Alex Van Sensus with 4.33. He was second and Ray third in that competition.
The long-snapping winner was Matt Bayliss, who scored a 16 and had an average snap of 0.93 with a best at 0.87, same as runner-up Zachary Dunn. Brandon Locha was third.
The next National kicking Championship competition will be in Phoenix on Dec. 3-4. Go to Prokicker.com for more information.