North East Semi Final Recap

North East Semi-Final Event, Matawan High School - Aberdeen, NJ

Saturday August 8, 2009

Sunny / 80 Degrees / 5 mph Wind

Surface: Field Turf

More than thirty talented specialists from eight states gathered for the National Kicking Combine Series Northeast Super Regional at Matawan, NJ High School. Special Teams Solutions ran the event which featured player instruction, a recruiting seminar and combine testing. Staff included former division I standouts Lee McDonald (Rutgers ’99), Charlie Titus (Rutgers ’99), Jim Cooper (Temple ’84), Gerry McGroarty (Buffalo ’08), Chris Hanly (Hofstra ’07) and current Lebanon Valley College kicker Matt Narache. “The competition was fierce but several players separated themselves from the pack to show they are legit college prospects” said Lee McDonald, Director of Special Teams Solutions “I think the northeast will be represented well at the National Combine Series Super Camp in January.”

Among the college division kickers, numerous players shined after hitting eight or more field goals. Leading the way with nine successful kicks was Brad Prasky (Groton HS-MA). The soccer player turned kicker showed good lift on the ball with a long of 52 yards from a one inch block. After that, numerous performers hit eight field goals but top recognition has to go to James Devens (James Madison HS-VA) with a long of 52, Matt Maczura (Pittsburgh Catholic-PA) with a long of 47 and Jake Smith (Milford Prep-NY) with a long of 52 who were impressive in kicking off the ground. Anthony Cavallaro (Delaware Valley HS-PA) headed the charge on kickoffs by posting a 61 yard and 3.5 seconds hang time average from a one inch tee. Tyler Yonchiuk (East Brunswick HS-NJ) showed why several big time programs are in pursuit by averaging 43 yards and 4.5 seconds hang time per punt. Chris Mattos (Monroe HS-NJ) also dropped several bombs in posting a 44 yard and 3.8 seconds hang time punting average.

In the class of 2011 varsity division, the top field goal kicker of the day no doubt was Michael Branthover (DeMatha Catholic HS-MD) who hit 9 of 10 field goals with a long of 52 yards off the ground! Kyle Lawrence (Kecoughtan HS-VA) also went an impressive 9 of 10 with a long of 47 from a one inch block. Anthony DiPaula (St. John Vianney HS-NJ) once again showed a solid leg on kickoffs with a long of 62 yards and 3.5 seconds hang time from a one inch tee. Michael Branthover and Michael Beamish (Abington Heights HS-PA) finished 1-2 in punting by averaging 37 yards and 4.2 / 4.1 seconds hang time respectively. Among the underclassmen, class of 2012 kickers Eric Enderson (Phoebus HS-VA) and Jared Rondeau (Centreville HS-VA) both displayed great poise in connecting on 9 of 10 field goals with a long of 42 yards from one inch blocks. Enderson also averaged a notable 51 yards and 3.3 seconds hang time on kickoffs and 35 yards and 3.6 seconds hang time on punts. Class of 2013 performer Jim Cooper (Mainland HS-NJ) showed huge potential in hitting 8 of 10 field goals, averaging 53 yards/3.5 seconds hang time on kickoffs and 31 yards/4.0 seconds hang time on punts!

Lee McDonald, Special Teams Solutions

lee@specialteamssolutions.com

732-406-6409