Who Will Replace Hahula?

Most of the talk during the off season for Rocky Mount High School football was replacing the offensive line. Four all conference performers gone and a second team all conference player missing this year.

I think there is one player who will be harder to replace than any of the linemen Kicker Nick Hahula.

It is hard to believe that Nick kicked for the Gryphons for four years. If you have ever seen Nick with out a uniform on especially he has shorts on, he would be the least likely person to even be an athlete.

The word fire plug comes to mind when you think of Nick. In his basketball uniform his shorts hang down to his ankles. Dressed for baseball he looks like David Wells. Wearing his football gear, kicking would be the last thing you would think he could do.

Yes I see Nick as a fullback getting four yards up the middle, not as a fullback going eighty some yards against Western Alamance. Not only is Nick Hahula a well rounded multi talented athlete, but he was multi talented football player for B W Holt on the football field.

It started as the extra point kicker as a freshman. His sophomore season he dabbled at fullback as well as at linebacker to go along with his kicking duties.

His junior year brought on a starting job at fullback and as a senior punting was added to his repertoire.

Last season Nick's punting, our opposition returned the ball twenty three years the whole season. Brian Goodwin got twenty three yards on just one punt return. All fifteen of the Gryphon foes averaged less than a yard a punt return.

Nick was a master at the high kick which required a fair catch, or the kick away from the returner that would roll for a mile. Who are we going to get to replace that this year? Did I mention that Nick also could pass from punt formation?

Kickoffs, Nick averaged almost half of all his kicks went into the end zone which meant the other team started from the twenty yard line half the time. That means our defense had eighty yards to keep the other team out of the end zone. Makes their life easier.

Have I mentioned yet that Nick is the all time kicker in the number of field goals made? Number of extra points? Just plain the most points ever for a Gryphon.

A two year starter at fullback Nick was reliable man to hand off to when we caught defenses spreading the field protecting against our outside speed. Nick could bust it up the middle.

My question to you today is who is going to replace all that? Nick this year will kick at North Carolina Central as the Eagles try their hand at Division one football.

While back on the practice field at Rocky Mount High Dickie Schock searches for a punter, kickoff man, field goal kicker, extra point kicker and fullback.

How many players will it take to replace him?