About 10-years ago, the first year I was living in Chicago, I went back to my hometown to watch a second round playoff game between Providence Catholic and Minooka High School. Two things I can remember from that game: 1) Minooka won, which was a pretty big deal considering the area I grew up. It was like a breeding ground for high school football teams where I grew up . Providence and all their state championships, was 10 minutes down the road from Joliet Catholic and all their trophies, and we all know what the Hilltoppers are made of. Morris, and all their championships, was 10 minutes from Minooka, and we all know who the Redskins are. Back then, either one or two of the three (Providence, Joliet Catholic or Morris) would find their way to winning the state championship. Minooka, in 2002, or maybe it was a '03 or '04, gave it a hell of a run that year, but fell short in the game before Turkey Day Weekend. And 2) the kicker for Providence was killing field goals before the start of the game from the 45 yard line. That's a 55-yard field goal for those who can't do the math.
But this kid out in Carson, Nevada, went and kicked it further than the graduated Celtic I watched the night of the game. Austin Pacheco, of Carson High School, kicked a 64-yard field goal with 27 ticks left on the clock to lead his team to victory over Bishop Manogue (Nev.) High School.
The NFL record, set earlier this season, is 63-yards, held by Sebastian Janikowski of the Raiders.
College recruiters need to start lining up now.
