By John Goralski Sports Writer Kyle Smick was just fooling around with some friends when his first kick split the uprights from 40 yards. He never expected to be a high school kicker. He never expected to become one of the central figures on Southington’s charge toward a Class LL state championship. He broke records. He kicked field goals from long range with the precision of a sniper. He stroked extra points as if he was shooting free throws in his back yard. The biggest question during kickoffs was how far Smick would clear the end zone, and the biggest thrill for fans during halftime was when Smick would step onto the field to warm up his leg from 50 yards out. So it’s no surprise that Smick announced that he will be kicking at the next level in the upcoming fall. Blue Knight football coach Mike Drury said that this won’t be the last time that Southington fans get to cheer their prized kicker. “I really expect to see him kicking on TV down the road. He really is that good,” said the coach. “He’s a kid that has a lot of potential and a lot of upside, and [...]
By John Goralski Sports Writer Kyle Smick was just fooling around with some friends when his first kick split the uprights from 40 yards. He never expected to be a high school kicker. He never expected to become one of the central figures on Southington’s charge toward a Class LL state championship. He broke records. He kicked field goals from long range with the precision of a sniper. He stroked extra points as if he was shooting free throws in his back yard. The biggest question during kickoffs was how far Smick would clear the end zone, and the biggest thrill for fans during halftime was when Smick would step onto the field to warm up his leg from 50 yards out. So it’s no surprise that Smick announced that he will be kicking at the next level in the upcoming fall. Blue Knight football coach Mike Drury said that this won’t be the last time that Southington fans get to cheer their prized kicker. “I really expect to see him kicking on TV down the road. He really is that good,” said the coach. “He’s a kid that has a lot of potential and a lot of upside, and [...]