Now it is time for the best player on special teams.
This will be Cody Mills' FIFTH year on the Varsity football team. He was first on the football team as an 8th grader since there is no kicking allowed in 7th, 8th and 9th grade games - so instead of waiting until at least his 9th grade year, there was no point in that so he was upped to the Varsity team.
He has been the starting punter since midway through his Sophomore year, taking over for William Elliott when he quit to prevent further football injuries threatening his baseball career. (Suffered a concussion once upon a time) Mills also took over the Kickoff duties.
Some of these stats are great just for high school. Of the 56 KO's last season, 27 went into the end zone for Touchbacks, roughly 50% of the time. He had at least one touchback in every game last season. He averaged close to 40 yards a punt last season - if he wants to get any shot at a scholarship, that needs to go up just a few more yards. About 45 yards has been the normal rate in college punters but no doubt he can go somewhere to help a team out and at least get into a Junior College and improve there.
If there is an area to improve on, it is kicking Field Goals. He was just 12 for 21 last season including missing twice in the Crosstown Classic with a long of 46 yards. His distance is not the problem, his accuracy is. 3 points in high school football is a rare thing, because many schools do not have the kicker that can kick a distance of longer than 30 yards or even kick extra points after touchdowns. When most schools without kickers get to 4th down, they usually go for it. More often than not, they do not convert which proves the consolation 3 points worth it. If Mills is more accurate, coach Johnny Hill can be more confident if they stall in the red zone to put 3 on the board with his foot. Plus if a team is trying to score before half, 3 points usually is a pretty good confidence boost going into the locker room.
They call Mills "Boot" for a reason - I have a feeling that he will boot it even farther this year.