Top Kickers to Watch in 2020 Part 1

Kickers are some of the most oft-overlooked players on a roster but despite the specialized roles they fill on any team, they typically account for a significant percentage of their squad’s scoring. On top of that, teams obviously rely on kickers to set up nearly every drive and position the ball club for success. Having a good kicker is critical for any high school team. But having a great one can be a game-changer. Let’s take a look at five kickers who will make an impact in the fall, and potentially at the next level. &nbsp; <strong>Matthew Eich, 2021, 5’9, Broomfield</strong> Recently earning a five-star rating from Chris Sailor Kicking, Eich is rated among the top kickers nationally in his graduating class. As a junior with the Eagles, he hit 10 of his 11 field goal attempts including a season long 48-yarder during a victory over Loveland on Sept. 6. He was also 40 for 42 on PATs and accounted for 70 points, which was second on the team and 18.6 percent of the Eagles’ overall scoring output. <strong>Max Hart, 2021, 5’11, Dakota Ridge</strong> Also voted all-state as a junior, Hart played his way onto that list by excelling at multiple positions. As a defensive back, Hart finished his junior season with 54 total tackles and three interceptions. In the kicking game, he accounted for 57 points while going 5 for 7 on field goals and 42 for 45 on PATs. He hit from a season-long 41 yards against Rampart on Aug. 29. Like his peers on this list, Hart has also been rated very highly at elite camps like Kohl’s, reportedly having come a long way with his ball-striking consistency. <strong>Aidan Lehman, 2021, 6’0, Mullen</strong> A Kohl’s All-American who has shown well and received high marks at elite kicking camps, Lehman certainly looks the part of a collegiate kicking prospect at 6-foot-2 with a solid frame. With excellent power in both the field goal and kick-off specialties, Lehman went 5 for 7 on field goal attempts in 2019 and hit a long of 42 yards. He was also a perfect 7 for 7 on PATs while playing in about half of the Mustangs’ games as a junior. Expect even better numbers from Lehman in 2020 now that he’s the presumed full-time kicker. https://twitter.com/AidanLehman/status/1266056945976270848 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="41282" first="Jon" last="Randall"], 2021, 5’11, Faith Christian</strong> The only player so far on this list from the Class 2A rankings, Randall may play for a small school but he has a big leg. As a junior in 2019, he hit eight of his 12 field goal attempts and tied for the fourth longest kick reported last fall with a 49-yard make against Bennett on Oct. 18. That season-best strike was Randall’s third made field goal over 40 yards on the season and his third make in as many tries that day. Randall is also rumored to be a tough player and a solid athlete who contributes in all facets of the special teams game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="41280" first="Connor" last="Mantelli"], 2021, 5’11, Douglas County</strong> Mantelli is one of just two returning players to hit a 51-yard field goal as a junior last season. That was the second-longest made field goal in the state behind only Frederick’s Luke Dunker and Platte Valley’s Alberto Perez, who each made a 52-yarder in 2019. Overall, Mantelli went 6 for 7 on field goal attempts last fall and was a perfect 7 for 7 on PATs. Included in his 2019 makes, Mantelli was also credited with distances of 50, 49 and 54 yards. He also played a bit of receiver for the Huskies. https://twitter.com/ConnorMantelli/status/1271171486493995009