THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 27, 1996 TAG: 9610240174
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: CAMDEN LENGTH: 67 lines
IT'S UNUSUAL for a high school kicker to make a field goal of 50 yards. It's even more unusual when a kicker from a small school makes three from more than 50 during his career.
The next goal for Camden County's Kevin Dodson is the state record.
Last week against Weldon, Dodson split the uprights from 56 yards out. Last year, he booted a 57-yard field goal. The state record is 58 yards.
``He's kicked 65 plus in practice many days,'' said Camden County head coach Scott Jones. ``He could break the state record in any given game. I'm not afraid to line him up from 60 anytime. You cross midfield, and Kevin's in range.''
With 10 seconds left in the first half against Weldon, the Bruins already held a 38-0 lead. Camden had the ball on the Weldon 39. Jones called in Dodson for the field goal. He nailed it.
``They went crazy, but all our fans know that he's capable of kicking a field goal that long,'' Jones said. ``Anytime it's fourth down and we're over midfield, Kevin's got his block in his hand and he's ready to kick.''
So far this season, Dodson is 3-for-5 with two kicks over 50 yards. A former wide receiver, Dodson has quit his days of catching passes to concentrate on kicking and punting. In his quest for perfection, Dodson's practice sessions are ritualistic. Jones runs a special teams drill every practice and then lets Dodson go on his own to the game field.
The senior boots the ball from varying distances over and over and over. Coupled with the practice sessions are a thought that runs over and over through his mind.
``In Gates County last year with about a minute to play, coach put me in to kick the game-winner from some 30 yards out,'' Dodson recalled. ``I kicked the grass and I kicked the tee and it didn't happen, it didn't go through. It was the saddest moment of my life. I think about that game every time I kick.''
A former soccer player in the Elizabeth City Boys and Girls Club recreation leagues, Dodson is constantly making adjustments.
``Everybody's been telling me to keep my head down, that's all I've been thinking. I try not to think about it, cause I've been thinking too much,'' Dodson said. ``I've been worrying about a lot of things.
``I've kind of learned this all on my own,'' he added. ``I try to correct myself when things go wrong. I'd say some of it is luck. If God wants it to go there, it goes there. I put my foot on the ball and pray that it goes through the uprights.''
They say it takes a certain breed to be a kicker. Perhaps it's the thrill of winning the game in the last second or the agony of missing the game-winner. Dodson hangs on almost every play of every game, especially on third down.
``I pay attention to the whole game. When it comes down to third down, I start warming up. I'll kick the grass or an object, it gets me warmed up,'' Dodson said. ``I just wait for that call. I think about it every second of my life. During practice, all I think about is that last second. It's got to be done. It's got to go through.''
Dodson waits for his chance to break the state record.
``It depends on when coach gives me a chance, but I think I could do it,'' Dodson said. ``I have a lot of confidence in myself.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DREW C. WILSON
Kevin Dodson is 3-for-5 with two kicks over 50 yards. A former wide
receiver, Dodson has quit his days of catching passes to concentrate
on kicking and punting.
KEYWORDS: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL by CNB