Green Valley kicker a precious commodity for playoff-hopeful Gators

By Sean Ammerman

Monday, Oct. 20, 2008 | 8:20 p.m.

Kickers aren't supposed to be a major scoring threat in high school football.

Most teams regulate its kickers - usually a team’s best athlete doubling in the position - to extra points and short field goals.

So when Green Valley kicker Nolan Kohorst made two field goals of more than 50 yards against Coronado to secure a 21-15 win Sept. 26, opponents took notice.

"It definitely feels like I have gotten more respect in the football world," said Kohorst, a junior. "When I hear that the other team is watching the film and are talking about ways to stop me — obviously that's something I'm proud of."

Kohorst started to gain notice last year, when in his first season with the Gators he made 10 field goals. Through eight games this season, Kohorst has made eight field goals, with four of them from beyond 50 yards.

For a Green Valley (6-2) team jockeying for playoff position in the Southeast Division, Kohorst's leg provides an important added weapon.

"I would say he's the top kicker in the state," Green Valley coach Matt Gerber said. "You don't see kids make 50-yard field goals in high school and you certainly don't see them hit two in a game."

Kohorst developed his accuracy playing soccer and was a starting midfielder for Green Valley's soccer team as a freshman.

He discovered his knack for kicking footballs while helping his younger brother, an aspiring football player.

Kohorst joined the football squad last year and immediately excelled in field goals and kickoffs, which typically sail into the end zone to prevent a return. He was 10-of-14 on field goals last year, also connecting on 21-of-22 extra points.

"I thought I would come back to soccer my junior year," he said. "Obviously that didn't happen. I miss soccer, but I had so much fun playing football I decided to stick with it."

Kohorst approaches each field goal the same, soccer style from the side and three steps behind the ball.

His holder, wide receiver Skyler Holloway, says a few "special words" to ease the tension before the snap.

"We we're kind of made for each other," Holloway said. "We've never had a kicker as good as him, plus he's got a strong leg so he's a deep threat in kickoffs.

Kohorst is most proud of his 54-yard field against Coronado, which gave his team a six-point lead in the fourth quarter.

With the wind blowing, Kohorst had to aim his kick outside the goal post for the ball to just make it through.

In practice, Kohorst said he hit his personal best, a 59-yard kick.

According to high school rules, if a team misses a field goal but the ball reaches the end zone, then the opposing team claims the ball at its 20 yard line.

The rule gives Green Valley a no-risk opportunity for Kohorst to attempt longer kicks.

"It's huge, especially at the high school level," Gerber said. "Very rarely will you get a kid with a very good leg, and to have one, there's a lot of field position you can play."

Sean Ammerman can be reached at 990-2661 or [email protected].