Local youth win at NFL Punt Pass & Kick sectional competition
By Scott Ford
Argus Observer
Friday, November 6, 2009 10:52 AM PST
La Grande — The sectional competition of the NFL Punt, Pass & Kick was held by the LaGrande Optimist Club Oct. 24 at Optimist Field in Pioneer Park.
Participants were the winners of Local competitions held throughout Eastern Oregon.
Contestants came from La Grande, Hermiston, Irrigon, Ontario, Burns, and Vale.
Each contestent had to pass, punt and kick the football and the distances logged were combined for a final score.
Four local youth took first place at the event.
In the girl’s 8- and 9-year-old competition, Tessa McFetridge of Vale won with a score of 86-feet, 3-inches.
In the boy’s 10- and 11-year-old competition, Ontario’s Gage McAvoy took top honors with a score of 196 feet. Ontario’s Christian Rodriguez won the boy’s 12- and 13-year-old competition with a final score of 279 feet, 4 inches.
The final local winner was Ontario’s Emilee Brackett. Brackett competed in the girl’s 14- and 15-year-old group and finished with a final tally of 212 feet, 9 inches.
The winners in each age group are compared with the winners of the other 10 sectional competitions held throughout Washington, Idaho, Alaska, and Oregon.
The top five in each age group will then compete at the Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers game Dec. 6 for the chance to participate in the nation championship held during the NFL Playoffs.
