MADISON, Fl. (WTXL) - Madison County kicker Drew Herring is getting a lot of opportunities to get it through the uprights this year.
"There's no breaks. I always have to stay ready on the sideline ready for them," he laughed.
This Cowboy squad has 69 total touchdowns so far this season, and ready he is. Herring has 56 kicking points to his name, and he doesn't mind the spotlight one bit.
"To know that he is going to make 90% of his extra points, and from 45 in, you have a legitimate shot to make it," said head football coach Mike Coe. "He's as important as our quarterback, running back, he's as important as anybody on this football team."
"When it comes to the games and you see for yourself the few points when it comes to matter," added Herring. "On the kickoffs, whenever you can pin them deep and you get a turnover and you get a touchdown next play, it just shows how important kicking really is and special teams in the game of football."
Drew's talents, not limited to kicking extra points and field goals, as he's also the Cowboys' punter, and he's making sure he's doing his part every Friday night.
"He's a competitor. He's not just our kicker. He likes to hit a little bit, he can throw the football some," said Coe. "Last week he recovered a fumble on the kickoff. He's a tough kid. I consider him one of the guys. He's a football player."
A football player who's also getting it done when it comes to the books. Herring's dual-enrolled, completed nearly a year and a half of college credits all while balancing a 4.1 GPA.
"I stay up late nights for the most part, whenever I get home around 8 or 9, eat dinner, get a shower, and after that, I'm up for the next two hours studying and doing homework," said Herring of his schedule. "It has to be important to me, or I'm in trouble."
What's also important? Finishing this senior year strong and making his hometown proud.
"We've come so close," Herring said of the last couple of seasons. "It'd be awesome to finish it up and bring it back to Madison County and celebrate. It's be awesome."
Madison County plays Pahokee Friday night at home in the Class 1A State Semifinals. Kickoff is slated for 7:30.
