By MARK MAYNARD / Prokickernews.com

ASHLAND, Ky. – The inaugural Ray Guy Prokicker.com High School All-Americans include some of the nation’s top punting, kicking, kickoff and long-snapping prospects.

Players were selected after much vetting from the Prokicker.com staff, who watched and coached the players during camps, and also by how the players performed on the field during the 2011 high school season.

“Our staff has personally watched these players and worked with these players during camps,” said Prokicker.com founder and camp director Rick Sang. “We’ve seen them and know what they can do.”

There were four All-America categories – punting, kicking, long-snapping and kickoff specialist. The last category is believed to be the first of its kind in receiving All-America postseason recognition.

“There are a lot of facets to special teams and we feel like this is an important one that sometimes gets overlooked when it comes to being recognized as the best,” Sang said.

Selecting the first All-America team with the Ray Guy Prokicker.com brand was something that Sang wanted to make sure was done as accurately and fairly as possible. Prokicker.com rankings and ratings weighed into the selection process but only because that meant staff members had either worked with or watched these honorees perform.

“We’re proud of what these young men have accomplished for their high school teams and look for each one of them to play at the college level,” Sang said.

Eight different states were represented: Georgia (two), Texas (two), Florida (two), Kentucky, Virginia (two), Arizona, South Carolina and Arkansas.

Among the first-, second- and third-team selections three players – kickers Harrison Butker, Nick Tankersley and Patrick Sohrt – were selected as Ray Guy Prokicker.com All-Americans in two different categories.

Butker, a combo kicker for The Westminster Schools near Atlanta, was the first-team All-America kicker and third-team punter.

Sohrt, the left-footed kicker from St. Joseph High School in Victoria, Tex., was a second-team All-America selection as both a punter and kickoff specialist.

Tankersley, who helped Manatee High School capture the Florida Class 7A championship, was the second-team kicker and the third-team kickoff specialist. He was 18 of 26 on field goals and 68 of his 100 kickoffs went for touchbacks.

Ray Guy, the former All-Pro punter for the Oakland Raiders who is considered the greatest punter in NFL history, was proud to lend his name to the inaugural Ray Guy Prokicker.com High School All-Americans.

“These young men have proven that they’re the best of the best,” Guy said. “I’ve seen many of them personally in camps and know the work ethic that goes with being a great kicker or punter. These guys have that something special, that ‘it’ factor, that separates them from the pack. This is just a steppingstone for many of them. We look for them to do great things at the next level.”

First-team selections were:

PUNTER: Thomas Meadows (6-0, 170, senior), Goochland, Va., Goochland High School, Purdue commit. Averaged 41.2 yards per punt for Goochland High School, the Division II Class A state runner-up. He had 13 punts inside the 20 and allowed only 14 return yards. He was first-team district, first-team region, All-Metro and participated in the Chesapeake Bowl where he punted five times for a 46-yard average.

Meadows credits his early experience with Prokicker.com into making him a top-notch punter.

“They really teach the techniques,” Meadows said. “I took a different approach than most kids my age did. Most kids my age went out and kicked the ball. I wanted to learn how to do it the right way. I wanted to establish my form. In my opinion, and in Rick Sang’s opinion, I’ve got some of the best form of anybody my age.”

Meadows will compete for the punting, kickoff and placekicking jobs when he gets to Purdue this summer.

“It depends on how I do in the offseason but I could be doing all three (for Purdue in the fall).”

KICKER: Harrison Butker (6-3, 170, junior), Atlanta, Ga., Westminster. All-State First Team in Class AA Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgia Sports Writers Association; All Metro, all classification, in Atlanta/South Fulton area; participated in Georgia Junior Bowl.

Butker made 16 of 17 field goals with only miss coming from 59 yards. Butker connected on a 51-yard field goal. He also had touchbacks on 47 of 59 kickoffs (80 percent) and also punted for a 39.5 average on 33 punts. Four of them were more than 50 yards with six downed inside the opponent’s 20.

“It was an incredible season,” Butker said. “A lot of credit goes to the (long)-snappers and holders. I was lucky to have a kicking coach (Joe Sturniolo) and a head coach (Gerry Romberg) who liked to kick.”

KICKOFF SPECIALIST: Zach Burgy-VanHoose (6-1, 214, senior), Pikeville, Ky., Pikeville High School. Led high school team to Class A state semifinals by booming 85 percent of kickoffs for touchbacks. Kicker for Kentucky in Border Bowl against Tennessee and was selected as kicker on the WMYT All-Mountain Team.

“It definitely is great to be able to end the high school season with that award. It makes you feel good; makes you feel like all the hard work is finally paying off.”

LONG-SNAPPER: Rey Higuera (5-11, 225, senior), Gilbert, Ariz., Perry High School. Arizona All-State 5A Division II first-team; All-Region, All-Section first team; snapped in Semper Fidelis Bowl; Prokicker.com national champion long-snapper for 2011.

“I’ve been long-snapping since I was a sophomore but I didn’t start getting competitive in it until the end of my junior year,” Higuera said. “Our team had a guy who was long-snapping and getting fairly good. We had heard about a coach (Ben Bernard) in Phoenix (Arizona Elite Long Snapping in North Phoenix) who turned out a lot of Division I long-snappers. I really enjoyed playing football but was not the most athletically gifted person. I had to work to get where I am.”

Second-team selections were:

PUNTER/KICKOFF SPECIALIST: Patrick Sohrt (6-2, 205, senior), Victoria, Tex., St. Joseph High School. Sohrt did a little bit of everything for his team in the kicking department but excelled on punt and kickoffs.

“I actually think my punting got better from last year. We had a 1-9 season, so we did punt a lot,” Sohrt said.

Despite St. Joseph’s record, Sohrt was named a first-team All-State punter. “I’d like to do punting and kickoffs (in college) but I’ll do whatever they ask me to do. I just want the chance.”

KICKER: Nick Tankersley (6-1, 165, senior), Bradenton, Fla., Manatee High School. Tankersley had a huge season for Florida 7A state champion Manatee High School, which finished 13-2. “When you play that many games, it’s good experience and good exposure.” Tankersley made 18 of 26 field goals with a long of 53 yards, a school record. Four of his misses were from 50-plus yards. He also had 68 touchbacks on 100 kickoffs and punted 39 times for a net average of 37.18. He allowed only 28 punt return yards.

“He can do all of it (in the kicking game),” said Manatee assistant coach Dennis Stallard. “He’s probably more natural kicker/kickoff guy. He taught himself through what he learned at Prokicker.com camps. It’s not a natural motion for a kid with a soccer background.”

LONG-SNAPPER: Ike Powell (6-3, 240, sophomore), Tifton, Ga., Tift County High School. Powell was the Ray Guy Prokicker.com National Championship runner-up for 2011 and was the national winner in the underclassman division. He was All-Area in a four-county area. Powell is also the youngest Prokicker.com All-American selection and the top-ranked player in his class at long-snapper.

Here’s what Jacob Claycomb, a Prokicker.com staff member, said about Powell:

“Ike has always been really gifted. You can tell he works hard at it. He has his own target in the back yard. Most kids don’t know their exact score before you tell him. Ike threw the last ball and said ‘Oh, man, 24 points.’ He had a running clock in his head. Ike’s pretty much the whole package. He’s probably one of the better long-snappers I’ve had come through the camps. He’s such a hard worker.

During the national championships his fastest snap was .77 and his average was .83.

Third-team selections were:

PUNTER (tie): Mitchell Ludwig (6-0, 170, junior), Abingdon, Va., Abingdon High School. First-team district and regional punter, second-team kicker; Virginia preps.com AA First-Team All-State Punter and Virginia Preps.com AA underclassmen First Team All-State Punter; set five school kicking and punting records; one state of Virginia record submitted (single game six punts for 50.33 yard average).

Harrison Butker (6-3, 170, junior), Atlanta, Ga., Westminster (See information above).

KICKER: Houston Ray (5-11, 170, junior), Van Buren, Ark., Van Buren High School.

KICKOFF SPECIALIST (tie): Sean Covington (6-1, 175, junior), St. Petersburg, Fla., St. Petersburg High School; Nick Tankersley (6-1, 165, senior), Bradenton, Fla., Manatee High School.

LONG-SNAPPER (tie): Mike Sulka (6-4, 240, senior), Bluffton, S.C., Bluffton High School; Fred McClimans (6-0, 205, senior), Flower Mound, Tex., Flower Mound High School.

HONORABLE MENTION

KICKERS

Nick Bartolotta, Fox High School (Mo.), class of 2012

Sean Covington, St. Petersburg High School (Fla.), class of 2013

Andy Ellington, Winfield High School (W.Va.), class of 2012

Pedro Ramello, Fishers High School (Ind.), class of 2012

Austin Jordan, Airport High School (S.C.), class of 2012

Trent Domingue, St. Paul’s School (La.), class of 2012

PUNTERS

Alex Barta, Clarkston High School (Mich.), class of 2012

Cliff Hurst, Centreville Academy (La.), class of 2012

Brian Bostrom, Kings Academy (Calif.), class of 2012

KICKOFF SPECIALISTS

Mark Grant, Mosley High School (Fla.), class of 2012

Ryan Frain, Scecina Memorial High School (Ind.), class of 2012

Harrison Butker, Westminster Schools (Ga.), class of 2013

Nick Bartolotta, Fox High School (Mo.), class of 2012

Carson Greifenkamp, Murray High School (Ky.), class of 2012

LONG-SNAPPERS

Chris Fitzpatrick, Anderson County High School (Ky.), class of 2012

Leonard Skubal, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) High School, class of 2012

Chad Leonard, Queens Creek High School (Ariz.), class of 2012

Travis Taulbee, Montgomery County High School (Ky.), class of 2012

Zack Hirth, Eureka High School (Mo.), class of 2012

Nick Walter, Pickerington Central (Ohio) High School, class of 2013

Billy Oldach, The Rivers School (Ma.), class of 2012

Brent Becenti, Ganado High School (Ariz.), class of 2012

Kicker Mike Nugent was lost for the season after tearing a knee ligament during a successful onside kick play in the closing minutes of Sunday’s 23-17 loss at Indianapolis. The Bengals signed the sixth-year pro from Ohio State in April.

Pettrey joined Carolina in April as a college free agent, was waived, then played in one pre-season game for Detroit. He missed a 42-yard field goal try and made a convert.

The Bengals also signed free agent offensive tackle Kirk Chambers on Tuesday. The sixth-year NFL player from Stanford has also played for the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills.

Contact: Randy DuTeau, Ray Guy Award Coordinator                     

Greater Augusta Sports Council

706.722.8326 x239

randy@augustasportscouncil.org

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Augusta Sports Council Announces the Semi-Finalists for the 2010 Ray Guy Award

Augusta, GA (November 12, 2010) – The Augusta Sports Council announced today the top ten semi-finalists for the 2010 Ray Guy Award, which identifies the nation’s top collegiate punter.  This year 51 punters were nominated for the honor.

“I personally want to say how proud I am of the semi-finalists for this year’s award” said the award’s namesake, Ray Guy.  “It indicates to me the level of hard work and dedication that each one has put forth.  I wish all ten could win, but only one can be awarded the trophy”.

 The candidates were evaluated on their overall statistics and contribution to the team.  Particular emphasis was placed on the punter’s net average, percentage of total punts inside the 20-yard line, and percentage of punts not returned.  A national voting body of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) coaches, sports information directors, national media, and former Ray Guy Award winners will decide the three award finalists, who will be named on November 22.  Voters will then cast a second round of ballots to decide the winner.

 The presentation of the Ray Guy Award will be featured on The Home Depot College Football Awards live on Thursday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.   The show, hosted by ESPN’s Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit will feature the live presentation of nine player awards, along with the recipients of Disney’s Spirit Award; The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award, the NCFAA (National College Football Awards Association) Contributions to College Football Award; and student-athletes selected to the Walter Camp All-America Team.  Fans can visit the show’s dedicated Web site at www.espncollegefootballawards.com to find the latest college football awards news, including show details, previous winners, fan voting, a photo gallery and video highlights.  

 2010 Ray Guy Award Semi-Finalists List

Bryan Anger (Jr) – California

Drew Butler (Jr) – Georgia (2009 winner)

Ryan Donahue (Sr) – Iowa (2009 Semi-finalist)

Reid Forrest (Sr) – Washington State

Chas Henry (Sr) – Florida (2009 Finalist)

Dan Hutchins (Sr) – Pittsburgh

Kyle Martens (Jr) – Rice

Anthony Santella (Sr) – Illinois

Quinn Sharp (So) – Oklahoma State

Dawson Zimmerman (Jr) – Clemson

About the Ray Guy Award

The Augusta Sports Council created the Ray Guy Award in 2000 to honor Thomson, Georgia-native and College Football Hall of Fame inductee Ray Guy.  The Ray Guy Award winner is determined by a national voting body of sports writers, college coaches, sports information directors, and past Ray Guy Award winners.  Among the statistics used to identify the winner is net punting average, number of times a punt is downed or kicked out of bounds inside the opponents 20-yard line, total yardage punted, average returned yardage, and percentage of punts not returned.  The winner must display team leadership, self-discipline, and have a positive impact on the team’s success.

About the National College Football Awards Association

The Ray Guy Award is a proud member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA).  The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of college football’s predominant awards.  The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients.  For more information visit the association’s official website NCFAA.org

About the Augusta Sports Council

The Augusta Sports Council (ASC) is a 501-c-3 not-for-profit organization established in 1992 to market the Augusta-area as a major amateur sports destination.   Annually, the organization attracts, supports, and creates numerous competitions and activities, at all levels of participation. 

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http://www.nfl.com/stats/player

PHOENIX - Tempe, Arizona – December 4-5

TAMPA - Bradenton, Florida – December 18-19

Kickers, punters and long snappers can participate at any- one, two or all three- of the championship competition sites to establish or improve their score!  Individual winners will be recognized at each site with the overall National Kicking, Punting and Long Snapping Champions being announced in Bradenton, Florida on Dec. 19, 2010.  See the link below for additional details and registration information.

http://www.prokicker.com/kicking-national-championship/

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR- This one-day event is open to kickers, punters and long snappers of any age level and will provide concentrated instruction for the specific skills of kicking, punting and long snapping. Those who attend will train to improve their skills using professional demonstrations, video analysis, developmental drills, and individual instruction.

 “Most athletes do not have a coach or anyone that knows how to teach them,” says Ray Guy- NFL Legend and 75^th Anniversary All-Time Team member. “We teach athletes to be self-reliant and to start taking charge of their own skill development. From the very moment training with our professional staff begins, the athlete learns and develops the skills and techniques necessary for coaching himself.”

Personal evaluations of the camp attendees are provided and information on top prospects will be made available to every college football program in the nation for recruitment and scholarship opportunities. The Prokicker.com exclusive national ranking system remains the most trusted source of information for college coaches around the country.

There are 605 alumni on college rosters and 18 alumni active on NFL rosters. There is no other camp program even close to having more players who have earned scholarships to colleges or who are actively playing professional football. There have been three Lou Groza Award winners and numerous named to All-America teams. A total of 111 Prokicker.com Alumni were on rosters in all 34 2009-10 College Bowl games, including the Alabama-Texas BCS Championship.

Applicants must pre-register to ensure acceptance. Due to the overwhelming number of requests for each camp enrollment is limited and exclusive to insure individual attention to each participant.

To register, contact ProKicker.com, P.O. Box 1884, Ashland, Ky., 41105-1884, or download a form at www.ProKicker.com Please call 606-327-0051 for more information.

For media requests contact Camp Director Rick Sang at 606-327-0051.

—ProKicker.com—

 “Most athletes do not have a coach or anyone that knows how to teach them,” says Ray Guy- NFL Legend and 75^th Anniversary All-Time Team member. “We teach athletes to be self-reliant and to start taking charge of their own skill development. From the very moment training with our professional staff begins, the athlete learns and develops the skills and techniques necessary for coaching himself.”

 Personal evaluations of the camp attendees are provided and information on top prospects will be made available to every college football program in the nation for recruitment and scholarship opportunities. The Prokicker.com exclusive national ranking system remains the most trusted source of information for college coaches around the country.

 There are 605 alumni on college rosters and 18 alumni active on NFL rosters. There is no other camp program even close to having more players who have earned scholarships to colleges or who are actively playing professional football. There have been three Lou Groza Award winners and numerous named to All-America teams. A total of 111 Prokicker.com Alumni were on rosters in all 34 2009-10 College Bowl games, including the Alabama-Texas BCS Championship.

 Applicants must pre-register to ensure acceptance. Due to the overwhelming number of requests for each camp enrollment is limited and exclusive to insure individual attention to each participant.

 To register, contact ProKicker.com, P.O. Box 1884, Ashland, Ky., 41105-1884, or download a form at www.ProKicker.com Please call 606-327-0051 for more information.

 For media requests contact Camp Director Rick Sang at 606-327-0051.

 “Most athletes do not have a coach or anyone that knows how to teach them,” says Ray Guy- NFL Legend and 75^th Anniversary All-Time Team member. “We teach athletes to be self-reliant and to start taking charge of their own skill development. From the very moment training with our professional staff begins, the athlete learns and develops the skills and techniques necessary for coaching himself.”

 Personal evaluations of the camp attendees are provided and information on top prospects will be made available to every college football program in the nation for recruitment and scholarship opportunities. The Prokicker.com exclusive national ranking system remains the most trusted source of information for college coaches around the country.

 There are 605 alumni on college rosters and 18 alumni active on NFL rosters. There is no other camp program even close to having more players who have earned scholarships to colleges or who are actively playing professional football. There have been three Lou Groza Award winners and numerous named to All-America teams. A total of 111 Prokicker.com Alumni were on rosters in all 34 2009-10 College Bowl games, including the Alabama-Texas BCS Championship.

 Applicants must pre-register to ensure acceptance. Due to the overwhelming number of requests for each camp enrollment is limited and exclusive to insure individual attention to each participant.

 To register, contact ProKicker.com, P.O. Box 1884, Ashland, Ky., 41105-1884, or download a form at www.ProKicker.com Please call 606-327-0051 for more information.

 For media requests contact Camp Director Rick Sang at 606-327-0051.