Arbor View’s female kicker a welcome addition to team

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.

Arbor View High sophomore McKenzie Karas is willing to accept any challenge — regardless of the sport.

A member of the United States under-15 national soccer team, Karas has proudly worn her country’s colors during international competition and is in consideration for a spot on the under-17 team for this summer’s World Cup in Trinidad & Tobago.

She takes pride in never letting the enormity of the moment — whether it’s trying out for the national team with hundreds of other hopefuls or playing goalie for the Americans during a tournament in Costa Rica — alter her way of thinking.

That is one of the reasons why Arbor View football coach Dan Barnson recruited Karas to join his program. He saw her strong leg on display during a soccer game last winter and encouraged her to give kicking the football a try.

The rest is history.

Karas has been the Aggies' kicker the last two games and is 6-of-8 on extra points. She was promoted to the first string once starter Logan Yunker, who doubles at linebacker, suffered a season-ending injury.

“This is an awesome experience,” Karas said. “I’m glad coach found me and that I’m getting to experience (football).”

Karas is more than filling a void on the Aggies roster. She has legitimate range, is accurate with her kicks and brings a winning mentality from her successes in soccer.

She is nicknamed ‘Jammer’ by teammates for her ability to jam the football through the uprights and has been accepted to the team with open arms.

“She has 50 big brothers and they have a little sister,” Barnson said. “They would do anything for her.”

Karas trained with the national team in late August and didn’t have the required amount of practices to join the football program until three weeks into the season. She attempted her first extra point against Shadow Ridge on Oct. 2 and also kicked off twice in the 34-3 victory.

Her first taste of game action, however, wasn’t that memorable. She hadn’t mastered the timing of kicking and her attempt was blocked.

Once the ball was hiked to the holder, Karas stood still to allow the defense time to block the kick.

“I didn’t realize the timing that was involved,” she said. “We hadn’t worked too much on that.”

But Karas didn’t give up and has impressed several with her strong leg and dedication. During halftime against Palo Verde on Oct. 16, she put on a show during warm-ups.

“She was banging 40- and- 50-yarders like it was nothing,” Barnson said. “People in the stands were asking, ‘Is that a girl?, Is that a girl?’”

She went on to make a pair of extra point attempts.

Chuck Razmic, Arbor View’s kicking coach, calls Karas one of the best he’s trained in 20 years of coaching. He also worked with Megan Brown, Shadow Ridge’s female kicker two years ago.

“She ranks in my top three,” Razmic said. “She has the leg for it and is such a natural talent.”

Her natural talent, however, has nothing to do with the basic fundamentals of football — tackling or being tackled.

Barnson has instructed the 6-foot, 130-pound Karas to avoid contact and has her race toward the sideline after kicking off. Still, he knows she would be able to hold her own if the situation presents itself.

“She is such a great athlete,” Barnson said. “She would love to stick her head in there and make a tackle.”

Arbor View finishes its season Thursday against Mojave. Karas, who will participate in a national team training camp Nov. 20 to 26 in Sunrise, Fla., plans to be back with the football team her final two seasons.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or ray.brewer@lasvegassun.com.