Sophomore Neil Martin boots 40-yarder in national event
GILROY – The football stadium is packed with rowdy fans and the game is all tied up with one team moving into field goal position. All of sudden, that team turns to its place-kicker to win the game. The pressure is on.
At Gilroy High School, that guy is sophomore Neil Martin.
“Before games you have to focus yourself in. You have to be thinking it could come down to you at the end of the game,” Martin said. “I don’t really mind the pressure. I try not to think about it. I keep my mind off it.”
Martin, who has made 12-of-17 field goal attempts in his brief two-year scholastic career at Gilroy High, finished in the top 10 for his class at the Jan. 17-18 Chris Sailer Kicking National Competition in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“I did OK. I could’ve kicked better, but it was a good experience. I learned about what the competition is like out there,” said Martin, who has aspirations of kicking his way into college and possibly the pros. “For this year, I wanted to see what I had compared to other people and see if I have a chance for the next level in college.”
The garlic place-kicker was one of 150 participants from across the nation ranging from sophomores in high school to junior college players to compete in the two-day event. The first day the kickers attempt eight field goals, starting with a 35-yarder and gradually moving back, and six kick-offs. The next day the kickers are treated to a clinic put on by Division I collegiate kickers.
“It was good to see all the different styles. Everyone has their own unique way,” said Martin, who models himself after the Denver Broncos’ Jason Elam by taking three steps back and two to the left. “He works hard and he has the same sort of style as I do, the approach to the ball and the mechanics.”
Although his longest field goal of the national competition was from 40 yards out, All-League Honorable Mention booted a 42-yarder for the Mustangs just last season. In his first varsity campaign, the underclassmen kicked 3-of-5 field goals, missed only one extra point, and forced several touchbacks with long kick-offs.
“(It takes) mostly hard work and practice. If you have the drive for it, you’ll succeed,” said Martin, an avid soccer player since the age of four. “I played soccer for a while. It’s just a little bit different. You kick a football pretty much the same. You can feel it with your foot. If you feel good contact with it, you know you hit a good ball.”
In a week-two victory over Santa Cruz, Martin keyed the Mustang comeback with a field goal at the end of the half and one in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 7-6. Gilroy went on to win the game, 14-7.
“He takes his skills seriously. All offseason, he kicks. He goes to camps, clinics and competitions. He takes his craft seriously,” said head football coach Darren Yafai of his young kicker. “In two more years, it’s exciting to think of how good he’s going to be as a senior.”
As a freshman, Martin was more active, making 9-of-12 field goal attempts, including a long of 41 yards.
“As a junior, he’s going to be called upon even more than last season and be a weapon for us,” Yafai said.
Martin replaced his older brother, Scott, as the Mustang kicker this past season and his father, Craig, is the team’s special teams coach.
“As coaches, we have to simulate (real game situations) at practice,” said Coach Martin, who worked with both of his sons on the gridiron. “My brother being a kicker kinda helped it, too.”
On the Gilroy sidelines throughout the game, Martin is always taking practice attempts into the netting and keeping his mind focused for when his jersey number one is called.
“I’m trying to keep my leg warm. Especially since we play night games, I have to keep my leg warm,” Martin said. “It’s different (when you get into the game), but probably the most important thing is to keep your mind off it and think of it as a normal kick.”
In the offseason, Martin works out, runs and stays in shape playing on the Gilroy High varsity boys soccer team as a fullback.
“I always work out my other leg, too. Just in case something happens to my right,” Martin said.
So next time the game is on the line, Martin will be ready.
