MATT FRYE/The Smithville HeraldSmithville High junior Drew Sperry has kept busy this fall juggling duties as a defender for the Warriors’ boys soccer team, while also serving as the placekicker for the football team.
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Just for kicks
Sperry's big leg makes him integral part of two teams
By Scott Tittrington
One look at the gash on Drew Sperry’s forehead — held together by seven stitches — and it’s easy to assume it was the result of an ill-timed blow on the football field Friday, Sept. 26, during the Homecoming game against St. Joseph Lafayette.
After all, that’s supposed to be the dangerous part of the Smithville High junior’s busy fall, lining up to kick a football through the uprights, and knowing there are kids packing 250 pounds of aggression charging right at him.
The soccer pitch is supposed to be his safer haven. However, Sperry’s red badge of courage actually came thanks to a nasty headbutt while fulfilling his duties as a center defenseman one day later, when he helped the Warriors win the Smithville Invitational.
So pick a field, any field. It’s safe to say Sperry is getting his licks — and kicks — while filling key roles on two teams this fall.
“It’s definitely tough. It’s a lot of work. It’s not easy,” said Sperry late Monday night, moments after stepping off a bus following the Warriors’ latest soccer road trip, this time to Harrisonville. “But I really love both sports, and I’m just really lucky that I’m allowed to step on both fields in the same season.”
A soccer player since the age of 4, Sperry discovered football as a seventh-grader, and quickly fell in love with that game, too. Just one problem — once he made his way to high school as a precocious freshman, he found both sports lodged in the same dates on the calendar.
He immediately broached Smithville High football coach Greg Smith about specializing in the kicking game for the Warriors while keeping his day-to-day focus on soccer, and was met with open arms.
“We were receptive to that, and it’s worked out for everyone involved,” Smith said. “As a coach, of course I would like to have him more, because I think he can be even better. But how can I take away what he’s trying to do in other sports?”
And the truth is, while Sperry has gained much more notice from the casual Smithville High sports fan this fall after taking over for Cruiser Nichols — who is now kicking at MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kan. — his bigger impact to this point in his career has clearly come with his ability to kick a round ball instead of an oblong one.
Sperry started last year as a sophomore for a Smithville High soccer team that advanced all the way to the Class 2 state championship game. This fall, he anchors a defense that, as of Monday’s 3-1 win at Harrisonville, had allowed just eight goals through the Warriors’ first 12 games. In fact, take away a 5-1 loss to Liberty in the season opener, and that number drops to three goals in the past 11 games.
“The thing that’s amazing about Drew this year is his decision-making is a lot better,” said Smithville High boys soccer coach Jon Reed. “He’s a smart player. And his speed. He’s only going to get better.”
Every now and then, Sperry’s side job will seep into what he’s doing — at which point Reed is always ready with a quick reminder.
“We occasionally have to remind him that he’s a soccer player,” Reed said with a laugh, pointing to the random ball that Sperry will sometimes send soaring through the uprights. “But really, one of his main areas of improvement is his touch. Some of those balls he’s serving from 40, 50 yards out are dangerous.”
Of course, it’s the ability to put another dangerous weapon on the field that Smith also enjoys with the two-sport arrangement.
Through five games, Sperry has only missed one extra-point attempt, coming during sloppy conditions in a Week 3 victory against Pembroke Hill where he atoned by also drilling his two lone field-goal attempts of the season.
“Drew is a nice luxury to have,” Smith said. “We’ve kind of been spoiled here the last six years or so, we’ve had good kickers, and Drew just falls in line with that. It’s nice as a coach to know if we get inside the 20, we’re going to get at least three points.”
And Sperry has even gone the hazardous duty route to put points on the scoreboard. When the Warriors line up for extra points, they utilize a formation that also allows for running the ball in for a two-point conversion, depending on how the defense reacts.
In Week 2 against Lincoln Prep, Sperry the kicker became Sperry the ball carrier, sending a shot of adrenaline through his veins, and undoubtedly a cringe through Reed.
“I love that part of the game,” said Sperry about being on the receiving end of a hit. “It’s the closest I’ll get to ever being in the game. I don’t mind it at all.
“It’s quite a rush.”
Both Smith and Reed believe Sperry’s strong right leg will continue to lead to good things not just for Smithville for this season and 2009, but at the next level, whichever sport he ultimately decides to pursue.
For now, though, he’s in no hurry to choose a path, but simply enjoying the journey, as busy as it may sometimes be.
“I’d definitely like to go to college, and I’d really like to play a sport in college,” Sperry said. “But I’m not sure which one. …
“I’m just focusing on high school sports and seeing where that takes me.”
Sports editor Scott Tittrington can be reached at 389-6632 or scotttittrington@npgco.com.
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After all, that’s supposed to be the dangerous part of the Smithville High junior’s busy fall, lining up to kick a football through the uprights, and knowing there are kids packing 250 pounds of aggression charging right at him.
The soccer pitch is supposed to be his safer haven. However, Sperry’s red badge of courage actually came thanks to a nasty headbutt while fulfilling his duties as a center defenseman one day later, when he helped the Warriors win the Smithville Invitational.
So pick a field, any field. It’s safe to say Sperry is getting his licks — and kicks — while filling key roles on two teams this fall.
“It’s definitely tough. It’s a lot of work. It’s not easy,” said Sperry late Monday night, moments after stepping off a bus following the Warriors’ latest soccer road trip, this time to Harrisonville. “But I really love both sports, and I’m just really lucky that I’m allowed to step on both fields in the same season.”
A soccer player since the age of 4, Sperry discovered football as a seventh-grader, and quickly fell in love with that game, too. Just one problem — once he made his way to high school as a precocious freshman, he found both sports lodged in the same dates on the calendar.
He immediately broached Smithville High football coach Greg Smith about specializing in the kicking game for the Warriors while keeping his day-to-day focus on soccer, and was met with open arms.
“We were receptive to that, and it’s worked out for everyone involved,” Smith said. “As a coach, of course I would like to have him more, because I think he can be even better. But how can I take away what he’s trying to do in other sports?”
And the truth is, while Sperry has gained much more notice from the casual Smithville High sports fan this fall after taking over for Cruiser Nichols — who is now kicking at MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kan. — his bigger impact to this point in his career has clearly come with his ability to kick a round ball instead of an oblong one.
Sperry started last year as a sophomore for a Smithville High soccer team that advanced all the way to the Class 2 state championship game. This fall, he anchors a defense that, as of Monday’s 3-1 win at Harrisonville, had allowed just eight goals through the Warriors’ first 12 games. In fact, take away a 5-1 loss to Liberty in the season opener, and that number drops to three goals in the past 11 games.
“The thing that’s amazing about Drew this year is his decision-making is a lot better,” said Smithville High boys soccer coach Jon Reed. “He’s a smart player. And his speed. He’s only going to get better.”
Every now and then, Sperry’s side job will seep into what he’s doing — at which point Reed is always ready with a quick reminder.
“We occasionally have to remind him that he’s a soccer player,” Reed said with a laugh, pointing to the random ball that Sperry will sometimes send soaring through the uprights. “But really, one of his main areas of improvement is his touch. Some of those balls he’s serving from 40, 50 yards out are dangerous.”
Of course, it’s the ability to put another dangerous weapon on the field that Smith also enjoys with the two-sport arrangement.
Through five games, Sperry has only missed one extra-point attempt, coming during sloppy conditions in a Week 3 victory against Pembroke Hill where he atoned by also drilling his two lone field-goal attempts of the season.
“Drew is a nice luxury to have,” Smith said. “We’ve kind of been spoiled here the last six years or so, we’ve had good kickers, and Drew just falls in line with that. It’s nice as a coach to know if we get inside the 20, we’re going to get at least three points.”
And Sperry has even gone the hazardous duty route to put points on the scoreboard. When the Warriors line up for extra points, they utilize a formation that also allows for running the ball in for a two-point conversion, depending on how the defense reacts.
In Week 2 against Lincoln Prep, Sperry the kicker became Sperry the ball carrier, sending a shot of adrenaline through his veins, and undoubtedly a cringe through Reed.
“I love that part of the game,” said Sperry about being on the receiving end of a hit. “It’s the closest I’ll get to ever being in the game. I don’t mind it at all.
“It’s quite a rush.”
Both Smith and Reed believe Sperry’s strong right leg will continue to lead to good things not just for Smithville for this season and 2009, but at the next level, whichever sport he ultimately decides to pursue.
For now, though, he’s in no hurry to choose a path, but simply enjoying the journey, as busy as it may sometimes be.
“I’d definitely like to go to college, and I’d really like to play a sport in college,” Sperry said. “But I’m not sure which one. …
“I’m just focusing on high school sports and seeing where that takes me.”
Sports editor Scott Tittrington can be reached at 389-6632 or scotttittrington@npgco.com.