15 kickers to watch in South Jersey during 2023 high school football season

What teams are going to have the courage to try a field goal when the game’s on the line this high school football season?

Here are 15 South Jersey kickers to pay attention to this fall.

Kickers to Watch

Aedan Burke, Cinnaminson, So., 5-9, 155 – Burke connected on 17-of-21 extra-point tries as a freshman.

Blaise Coley, Haddonfield, Sr., 5-7, 150 – Coley, who led the Haddons’ lacrosse program with 35 goals last year, can boot it too. He was 34-of-36 on point-after attempts, made 3-of-5 field goals with a long of 32 yards, had a touchback and averaged 31.2 yards per punt.

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Hunter Dragotta, Schalick, So., 5-7, 150 – Dragotta connected on 19-of-26 extra-point tries last season.

Mason Forte, Holy Spirit, Jr., 5-9, 170 – Forte closed the season 43-of-50 on extra points and was one 1-of-2 on field goals, connecting from 23 yards.

Josh Franchi, Washington Twp., Sr., 5-11, 170 – Franchi replaces West Jersey Football League First Team selection Max DiRaddo, but Franchi looks the part. He made all three of his extra points last year.

Antonio Freund, St. Augustine, Sr., 5-10, 150 – Freund made four field goals last season, including a 39-yarder against Lenape, and 33 extra points. He had multiple touchbacks too.

Logan Gilbert, Audubon, Jr., 6-1, 150 – WJFL Colonial First Team punter averaged 39 yards a punt, connected on 3-of-5 field goals and 18-of-20 point-after attempts. He had multiple successful onside kicks too.

Collin Graiff, Vineland, Sr., 6-1, 175 – WJFL Continental First Team punter was 24-of-27 on extra-points and 2-of-3 on field goals, including a 35-yarder against Millville. He also had two touchbacks.

Ryder Hay, Ocean City, Sr., 5-9, 215 – Hay made 10-of-12 extra points and made 2-of-3 field goal attempts, his long coming from 32 yards away.

Jameson Hollander, Rancocas Valley, So., 6-0, 160 – Hollander had a very good freshman season, making both of his field-goal attempts, his long being 37 yards, and 26-of-28 point-after tries.

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Nate Kashey, Mainland, So., 5-10, 155 – WJFL United First Team selection made a school record 53 extra points last year (out of 58 tries). He also made his lone field goal attempt (25 yards).

Jack Leino, Pennsville, Sr., 5-11, 240 – WJFL Royal First Team selection was 10-of-12 on extra points, connected on a 35-yard field goal, averaged 31.4 yards per punt and had multiple touchbacks.

Tommy Pajic, Cherokee, Sr., 6-3, 185 – Pajic boasts a strong leg, evidence by his 20 touchbacks on 41 kickoffs a year ago. He was 32-of-36 on extra-points and made 2-of-4 field goal attempts, his long being a 27-yarder.

Nate Plotts, Collingswood, Sr., 5-7, 135 – Plotts was 4-of-6 on field goal attempts, with a long of 43 yards, and a perfect 19-of-19 on point-after tries as a junior.

Timmy Willever, Northern Burlington, Sr., 5-11, 160 – WJFL National Second Team honoree was 4-of-6 on field goals, with a long of 37, and made 17-of-19 extra points.

Josh Friedman has produced award-winning South Jersey sports coverage for the Courier Post, The Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times for more than a decade. If you have or know of an interesting story to tell, reach out on Twitter at @JFriedman57 or via email at jfriedman2@gannettnj.com. You can also contact him at 856-486-2431. Help support local journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: South Jersey football players to watch in 2023: Kickers