For Livingston Academy football’s Coy Smith, the only path onto the football field was through his right foot.
Smith’s parents told him if he had to join the Wildcats, the way was as a kicker. Smith said he earned his spot after pleading with his parents to join the team. Now entering his junior year, Smith said he has made the role into his own.
“I’ve grown to learn how to play the game,” Smith said. “I’ve got to know a lot more people. I feel a lot more confident and a little more stronger now.”
Smith initially had assistance from the kicking coaches on the Wildcat staff. But after the coaches retired during Smith’s tenure as kicker, he had to adapt to life as a kicker on his own.
“I’m kind of out there by myself trying to figure out how to get accuracy down and trying to figure out ways to put power on the ball,” Smith said. “Of course, you got to go into your form and figure out how to kick the ball the right way [as well.]”
Smith sharpens his form on another field during the spring. Smith has played soccer during his time at Livingston Academy. He has rotated through all three attacking positions throughout his soccer career. Smith said he uses soccer’s rhythm to fine tune his kicking when the leaves start falling.
“I started out struggling a little bit with the pressure and nerves starting out the game,” Smith said. “But overall, going through the season, I’ve kind of gotten used to it and I like starting out the [football] game with a nice little kick.”
Smith enters his third season kicking footballs and soccer balls for the Wildcats.
