Don’t remember the year, but vaguely remember Grant missing a 18 yd Fg as time expired in a playoff loss to Rocklin. I feel like that was an undefeated Grant team, couldn’t punch it in, so figured they’d kick a chippy for the win. Perhaps it was the same year Rocklin lost to Servite in the State game? Anyone help fill in the blanks
2009. The kicker was Charlie Vue, who actually was one of GHS’s better kickers over the years.
I actually believe the o-line deserves more grief than their kicker for not being able to convert down at the goal line. Not only did the Pacers have a huge, athletic and stacked line with the likes of Vei Moala — they also had future college and NFL star Devontae Booker at RB yet couldn’t punch it in from the 1 despite having 4 chances (there was a Rocklin penalty that gave them 1st down twice).
Vue’s kick was a tad more challenging than many understand. Not only was he kicking from a shorter distance, but he was also kicking from the far right hash.
For those that don’t know, the hashes at the HS level are much wider than the NFL and college. The angle on that attempt from that close can be a bit tricky. The kicker is kicking from well outside the uprights and having to angle it way left. It’s easy to hook it too much and that’s what Vue did IIRC.
Next time you’re on a HS field go stand on the far right hash from the 7 or 8 yard line. A good kicker should make it, but it’s nowhere near as easy as a typical XP or short FG in the middle of the field.
College kickers often miss those angled kicks despite the hash marks they are kicking from not being as wide. In fact, Sac State won a game this season in OT because the Weber State kicker missed a super short angled kick from the far left hash mark.
Lastly, you are correct. That semifinal between Rocklin and GHS took place the same season as when the Thunder came up a FG short against Servite despite playing the game minus their starting QB and a starting receiver.