For the last three years, Bridgeport High School football Coach John Cole has went into the season feeling pretty good about his kicking and punting game. After all, when freshman Koby Kiefer was called up for the 2014 season and showed his skills in a few blowouts the staff knew they had something good on their hands.

 

That proved true as Kiefer helped BHS usually win the special teams battle. And Kiefer was good enough that he’ll be handling chores next year at Cornell University.

 

Kiefer’s graduation, however, left a 50-yard field goal-sized hole in the Indians’ future. Although part of it was buffered with the arrival of a promising sophomore-to-be, Cole said an injury to that individual has left him worried.

 

“We expect the young man that was injured to be with us in August, but he hasn’t been able to kick since the injury so having another option and some depth is something we want,” said Cole.

 

The Indians may have gotten it. Not only did senior-to-be Evan Ogden show up at the Indians’ June kicking session to kick and punt for the first time, but since then he’s shown even more initiative.

 

In fact, this past weekend Ogden was in Chillicothe, Ohio. There, he was among a group of youngsters taking part in one of many national Ray Guy Prokicker Kicking Camps, and he fared quite well.

 

Ogden earned the Top Prospect Award Honor at the camp. It’s an honor Kiefer won twice at similar camps.

 

“The big thing is that he’s showing initiative to get better and, to my knowledge, has never kicked before,” said Cole who hopes to see Ogden as part of the roster this year. “I’m definitely pleased to see he not only went to the camp, but earned the award.”

 

Ogden said the camp was beneficial.

 

“I learned some important stuff. It was good trying it out in that setting,” Ogden said. “I think if I keep working at it then if everything works out I could be beneficial to the team.”

 

While Ogden kicking a football is relatively new, his leg strength and kicking at the prep level is not new. He’s played for the past three years as a member of the Indians’ soccer team and is using some of what he’s learned there to assist with the Indians.

 

“I’m used to making good contact with the soccer ball with my follow through and technique and that’s where I started when I decided to see if I could do this,” he said. “Since working with the team in June and this camp I’ve learned some things to help with technique and it’s helped a lot.”

 

Now, it’s a matter of making everything work out. Ogden said he would like to play both sports if everything can be juggled. He came to that decision last year.

 

“I saw an opportunity to kick when Koby graduated. I knew they would need a kicker or competition and kicker and that’s when I decided to give it a try,” said Ogden.

 

Cole said having someone that can kick is always a good thing. He said having the possibility of competition between Ogden and another on the team – or anyone else who would opt to come out – is another positive.

 

“Any coach will tell you they want the competition because it makes those competing better. Plus, you never know about an injury and we’ve already seen it so the possibility of having two legs out there is welcome,” said Cole. “Any coach will also tell you what it means to have a quality kicker of punter.”

 

The Indians made a living off of flipping the field thanks to Kiefer. Along with booming punts, Kiefer sent multiple kickoffs into the end zone to stop foes from gaining any momentum on a kickoff return.

 

“Not having Koby is a huge loss because it’s easier as a staff knowing you have someone coming back and not have to worry about it. On top of that, no one on the staff are kicking instructors,” said Cole. “We know a little bit and (Bridgeport Middle) Coach (Robbie) Buffington helps when he can, but he’s got his own team to deal with during practice.

 

“When you have a good kicker you can rely on, you have one-third of the game that’s to your advantage,” Cole continued. “Hopefully, we’ll get one of our guys healthy and we’ll be able to see Evan come August. I know it would ease the concerns a bit about our special teams.”

 

Along with playing soccer, Ogden also was a member of the state championship baseball team. Cole said, because of those sports and the success they have had, Ogden shouldn't be bothered by pressure.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Evan Ogden at the Ray Guy camp, while he's shown bunting in the state baseball tournament this year. Bottom photo by www.benqueenphotography.com.