The Kicker’s Philosophy

The field goal is a sharp, three-second sequence: the snap, hold, and the kick. Even though they occur relatively infrequently, the quick mistake of one man can define a night, season, or even a career, just as Tyler Loop’s miss at the end of the Raven’s week 18 game against the Steelers crushed fans across the city. Although the foundational mechanics of kicking can be quickly understood from a YouTube video or a brief lesson with a coach, a true fan of football is aware of the mental and psychological aspects of the game.

Kicking is mentally and technically demanding, driven by the expectation of consistently compelling the ball through the uprights. This pressure weighs on all players of the position, whether they're playing on Fridays, Saturdays, or even Sundays. Some combat their nerves with superstition or rituals, such as Gilman kicker Connor Souryeal ‘26, who nods at his center and “takes two deep breaths before every kick.” Others tend to avoid superstition as a whole and be confident in their athletic abilities, such as varsity kicker Cole Newcomb ‘27. He says, “I like to tell myself just to stop thinking. Overthinking, at least in my experience, leads to overcompensation for past errors and heightened pressure to not mess up.”

Connor, with a career marked by numerous highs, has also experienced his share of lows. In his junior season, during a heavily anticipated McDonough matchup, he recalls that, “We drove down the field, and I had a 30-yard field goal in front of probably 5,000 people, way more than I had ever played in front of.” The away atmosphere was electric and unforgiving, which led to an unconfident field attempt and the ball skirting the uprights. Following this miss, he had to remember that “it’s failure that separates the good from the great, at any level.” From this moment, he has learned how to adapt to these kinds of environments and find success, which has led to two prestigious MIAA First-Team awards.

Though most of the student body isn’t made up of kickers or even football players, these mental precepts of a kicker can translate to our everyday lives. Cole’s confident approach encourages tempered confidence, teaching that “you are only as proficient at understanding as you were learning.” Cramming study time at the last minute or cheating reps during a workout only hurts yourself; the only one in control of your own success is you. However, Connor’s outlook emphasizes the ability to bounce back after a rough patch and learning from one another’s mistakes. He advises that being able to withstand difficult conditions is key, detailing that “resilience is the most important lesson.” 

Our beloved Hounds kickers and their experiences demonstrate that with composure, preparation, and focus, anyone can excel on or off the field.