Prep Redzone NJ’s 2023 Kicker of the Year Candidates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Happy New Year! I am back and refreshed after a vacation and ready to roll.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that champions have been crowned and Prep Redzone New Jersey's Stock Up Showcase is complete, it is now time to turn our attention to individual superlatives and recognitions. With many outstanding kickers across the state who led their teams to outstanding seasons on special teams, here are the best of the best.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Agree with me? Disagree with me? Tell me why I want to hear from you. Leave a comment on my&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/BrendanScoutsNJ/status/1738430260759208157">Twitter</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kicker Play – By the Numbers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table" style="overflow: auto"><table><tbody><tr><td><br>BIOGRAPHICAL INFO</td><td><br>FG Attempts/FG Made</td><td><br>FG Percentage</td><td><br>FG Long</td><td><br>PAT Attempts/PAT Made</td><td><br>PAT Percentage</td></tr><tr><td><br>[player_tooltip player_id='916268' first='Jack' last='Joyce']<br>St. Thomas Aquinas<br>2024</td><td><br>7/12</td><td><br>58.33%</td><td><br>45</td><td>54/55</td><td><br>98.18%</td></tr><tr><td><br>Seamus Brown<br>Summit<br>2024</td><td><br>8/12</td><td><br>66.67%</td><td>42</td><td><br>42/44</td><td><br>95.45%</td></tr><tr><td><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1037055' first='Jack' last='Catchpole']<br>Seton Hall Prep<br>2024</td><td>12/13</td><td><br>92.31%</td><td>38</td><td><br>29/30</td><td><br>96.67%</td></tr><tr><td><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1143893' first='Jake' last='Merlucci']<br>Morris Knolls<br>2025</td><td>8/10</td><td><br>80.00%</td><td>42</td><td><br>28/31</td><td><br>90.32%</td></tr><tr><td><br>[player_tooltip player_id='971175' first='Sebastian' last='Kovacs']<br>Cedar Grove<br>2026</td><td>8/13</td><td><br>61.54%</td><td>43</td><td><br>36/39</td><td><br>92.31%</td></tr><tr><td><br>[player_tooltip player_id='916277' first='Guytano' last='Bartolomeo']<br>Bergen Catholic<br>2025</td><td>6/6</td><td><br>100.00%</td><td>37</td><td><br>44/44</td><td><br>100.00%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kicker Play – Scout's Evaluation</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["916268"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='916268' first='Jack' last='Joyce'] was a prospect I remember seeing at the AVC Football Mega Camp back in the spring. A big, strapping, young man, as a junior Joyce registered touchbacks on 20/25 kicks and was 1/1 on onside recoveries. Unfortunately he does not have senior highlights available so his the last evaluation I wrote for him is the one I am going to stand by.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659f3d222241b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16314645/6451aa242347ee0d3c8260de' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659f3d22224b6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1012882"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1012882' first='Seamus' last='Browne'], too, was at the same camp Joyce was last spring. If memory serves me correct, he nailed what was the longest kick that afternoon from beyond 40-yards. Of his misses on the season that were not blocked, he missed from 47-, 44-, and 39-yards. On film we see that Browne has solid nearly identical mechanics on each field goal he attempted. He did, however, omit any attempts from the right hash. Also his team's punter, he is athletic enough to handle fakes and get punts off when he is under pressure. A traditional two-step punter who typically takes a rugby-style turn to his right. Seamus did not show any clips of him punting to his left. On kickoffs Seamus is consistently achieving a u00224 Missau0022 count when I count Mississippis. His kicks typically reach between the front of the goal line and 5 yards into the endzone.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659f3d2222517"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15188228/655122aa3449040b9c4079e6' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659f3d2222536"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1037055"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1037055' first='Jack' last='Catchpole'] was a consistent, reliable force for the Pirates all season long - particularly down the stretch and into their playoff run. A lefty kicker, he has shown that he can hit from either hash as well as the middle of the field. One clip that he added I was able to recognize the wind from the flag blowing left-to-right from the left hash, which he accounted for in his successful kick. Catchpole gets the most on his kicks as he is sure to follow through each time he strikes the ball. Capable of punting as well, the best punt he showed was a full u0022Four Misssissippiu0022 count in my head and traveled approximately 55 yards in the air u003cemu003ewithout u003c/emu003ewind. Given that one punt clip he showed, I would have liked to see more of Catchpole as a punter.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659f3d2222588"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15742785/655e197fb018a60d34f94314' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659f3d22225a5"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971175"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Just a sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='971175' first='Sebastian' last='Kovacs'] proved to be an impact player on varsity from a young age. Unfortunately I could not find any film on Kovacs to comment about his game; however, reviewing his season's statistics warrants mentioning for the young Panther.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659f3d22225e6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1143893"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"In the few snippets of highlights that I was able to find of [player_tooltip player_id='1143893' first='Jake' last='Merlucci'], it appears that Morris Knolls has a natural. From the center of the field Merlucci was able to bang a 38-yard field goal true with ease. Clearing the crossbars, Merlucci had roughly 10 or so yards to spare.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659f437d2fe19"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/jakemerlucci25/status/1703109760998895662","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/jakemerlucci25/status/1703109760998895662 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["916277"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The last kicker for today's consideration is from the state's #1 team, Bergen Catholic, will be back for another season as they look to 3-peat next year, and just completed a perfect season for a kicker. On tape [player_tooltip player_id='916277' first='Guytano' last='Bartolomeo'] looks like a strong, thick young man. When you watch him kick, the ball absolutely explodes off of his foot. At its apex, I would estimate the ball was 15 yards above the goal posts. From the left hash Bartolomeo absolutely drills the ball through the center of the goalposts each and every time. The team's kickoff specialists as well Bartolomeo does a great job of cornering the receiving team. It seems as the season wore on he was more confident in kicking the ball anywhere in the field with distance to either force a touchback or have his opponent think twice about a return. Bartolomeo does a great job, in particular, of pinning his opponent deep to their left.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659f3d2222630"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16203472/656f332664e90a0b0c3555d6' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659f3d222264b"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Scout's Pick</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After considering statistics and watching film, my vote for the 2023 Kicker of the Year goes to&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='1037055' first='Jack' last='Catchpole']. How do our followers and fans feel? Do you agree? Let your voice be heard by commenting on my&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/BrendanScoutsNJ/status/1738430260759208157">Twitter</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->