Alex Darras kicks a field goal
Alex Darras, an eighth grader at OLPH school, has been rated the top middle school kicker in America according to prokicker.com.
Prokicker, started by famed punter Ray Guy, is the premier kicking camp in the United States. To put in perspective the quality of camp participants, there are 18 current NFL kickers who are Prokicker camp graduates, including Zolton Mesko of the Super Bowl-bound New England Patriots.
Alex's average kickoff distance is 56 yards with a hang time of nearly four seconds. Numbers, according to OLPH football coaches, unheard of at the middle school level.
OLPH football coach Billy Dearing states that in his 18 years of coaching Alex is far and away the best middle school kicker he has seen. "The force with which Alex kicks the ball is incredible. I've never seen a middle school kicker do the things he can do, and have seen only a couple of high school kickers on his level. He has an unbelievable future."
This season OLPH compiled a 12-1 record. During the course of the season Alex put one of every two kickoffs into the end zone, made field goals from beyond 40 yards, and missed only one of 32 extra point attempts.
The OLPH football coaches nicknamed Alex "D1", because they believe that on Alex's current path, Division 1 football is in his future.
Alex has the physical tools (at age 14 he is already 6'3" and weighs 180 pounds). Alex is being recognized for his kicking, but it is far from the only facet of his game. The coaches point out that there is no position on the field at which Alex doesn't stand out. He can throw the ball over 50 yards with great accuracy, has exceptional concentration, great receiving hands, speed, solid blocking skills, is one of the top tacklers on the team, and can punt a ball 50 yards.
"Alex is one of those rare individuals who excels at everything he attempts," states Coach Bucky Dearing. "He is well behaved, a straight A student, All-Star baseball player (pitcher), and is also an exceptional soccer and basketball player."
Ironically, Alex's success in other sports nearly kept him from playing football. He was so busy with the other sports that he never had given football a chance. OLPH is a small school, and, according to the coaches, in order for the football program to enjoy the success it had, nearly all boys need to play.
The coaches relay a story that for several years they noticed this one tall boy who was clearly athletic and well-coordinated - - but didn't come out for football. After some discussions and encouragement, Alex and his parents, Chris and Maria Darras, agreed for Alex to play on the 11/12 team. That was three years ago. Alex has improved ever since, becoming an all-around standout player.
"Once we saw his raw talent, including his booming kicks, we knew we had another weapon," his coach said.
Being familiar with the premier Prokicker camp, Coach Dearing encouraged Alex to attend believing it would help him develop. Alex attended the camp in 2010 and 2011. At the 2011 camp Alex put up numbers that have placed him as the number one middle school kicker in America.
Alex's father, Chris, stated, "Watching Alex kick at the camps made me realize how strong a kicker he is. He loves playing all sports, and it makes us happy to see him excel. My wife and I have never pushed him to do one sport over the other, we just want him to have fun and learn. We enjoy watching him play, and are proud of the way he values teamwork and working toward goals."
For his part, Alex states that he has a blast kicking and playing football. "The kicking camp was cool because I got to meet other kickers and learn from guys that have been kicking for a long time. Sports can be a challenge and exciting. I like the challenge of facing different competition, and the excitement of the battles."
Coach Dearing is impressed with the way Alex has developed as a total football player. "He is very coachable. I have no doubt he will be a force on the football field for years. Our 2011 team had some of the best players in Southeast Tennessee, and definitely the best kicker. Alex will be greatly missed, but I look forward to watching him on Friday nights and beyond."
Alex plans to attend Notre Dame High School.