Top Kickers in the St. Louis Area

<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>This is the first contribution from new PRZ Scout <strong>Will Crawford</strong></em></span> Many think the most important position on a football field is the Quarterback. While that is one of the most important positions, great teams alsohave great kickers. Many kickers are also great punters. Nonetheless, kickers rarely get the spotlight they deserve, as they can provide the big plays just like other positions on the field. This list is made up of the best kickers in the St. Louis metro-area, two kickers that are under the radar, and another that kicked the ball off the charts. <strong>Josh Deal- Francis Howell So.</strong> Deal only kicked for Francis Howell, but when he was on the field he made an impact. Anytime Deal would kick the ball for the Vikings, the ball would go soaring through the back of the endzone. If they wanted a short kick, he would put it in the perfect spot on the field, allowing the kicking team to race to the football. Deal can also show his range with his leg. Deal didn’t have to kick many field goals for the Vikings, as most of their drives would end up in the endzone. When Deal was called upon, he showed that he could also kick field goals. Against Cardinal Ritter, Deal kicked a 46-yard field goal that had an extra five-to-six yards underneath it. Deal, also never missed an extra point. <strong>Trevor Saguto- Duchesne, 6’0 170 Jr.</strong> Saguto was a name not many knew of. Saguto handled all kicking duties for a Duchesne Pioneer team that went  9-2. Saguto had 57 points on the season for the Pioneers, 39 of them being extra points. Much like Deal, Sagutos field goals would go throw with ease and would always have a lot of extra yards behind them. One of those field goals was against St. Charles High School, on a cold rainy night. Saguto hit a 37-yard field goal from the right hash, that would’ve been made if it was from 47 yards. Saguto is a kicker that makes you actually think about using for long field goals. Saguto also was a leading punter in the area. Saguto averaged 38.5 yards per-punt, putting teams deep in there own territory. <strong>Justin Bridges- Park Hills Central, Sr. </strong> You can’t have a best of list without the best. Bridges was at the top of the list in the St. Louis Metro-area. Bridges led the area with an average of 59.8 yards per kick. Like the other kickers on this list, Bridges would not allow returns, as the ball would be rarely touched by returners. Bridges would also be known to have ice in his veins. As time expired in regulation against Farmington, Bridges knocked down a field goal to give Park Hills Central a win. Along with not letting nerves get to him, he showed length. Bridges hit a 40 yard field goal against Seckman. Bridges would also show his leg strength in the punting game. Bridges was one of the least used punters, due to the good PHC offense, but when he did, they’d be good punts. He averaged 36 yards per punt and had a long of 42 yards.