By RYAN WALKER
Norwell kicker Austin De Leon inked with Saint Francis Tuesday morning.
It was a long time coming for the Knights’ first-team all Northeast 8 Conference kicker, who battled through cartilage damage in his knee freshman and junior years and gave up soccer in the process. Now, De Leon has found a home on the football field for the next four years with the Cougars.
“It’s amazing,” De Leon said. “I’ve been working for this for a long time. Finally putting pen to paper is an amazing feeling.”
The senior has been the varsity kicker for four years for Norwell, showing off his leg strength and nailed five field goals this year with distances of 51, 46, 41, 31 and 26 yards, 18 of 21 kicks going for touchbacks and 15-16 on PATs.
His experience on varsity gave him the chance to work with several teammates and coaches throughout the years, and plenty of them witnessed the morning signing.
“It means the world. I’ve grown up with all these kids and being able to have them supporting me,” De Leon said. I’ve been playing football with them for the last four years. I’ve won big games with them and went through a lot with them, so having them here really means a lot.”
The proximity to his family, coaches and friends in Fort Wayne was a primary reason for him to choose Saint Francis. The campus felt like home to him, and he gets to see all of his supporters watch him on Saturdays.
Saint Francis wrapped up their most recent season with a 6-4 record just six years removed from a NAIA semi-final appearance. De Leon will be joining 26-year head coach Kevin Donley, a four-time NAIA national coach of the year guy.
As far as special teams coaches, the Cougars are looking to replace their former one who left at the end of the season.
In his time with the Cougars, De Leon plans to study finance. He’ll be joining the team in a few months with their summer workout program.
ryan@news-banner.com
