Local Sports
Dillon's kicking lifts Panthers
By SALLY SEXTON
H-P Sports Writer
Since he was three years old, Tyler Dillon has been playing soccer.
It was this hobby that caught the attention of Westwood assistant coach William Raphelt, thus catapulting the freshman into the role of Westwood’s kicker earlier in the season.
“I was playing some soccer with my friends on the field and someone brought out a football, so I started kicking it and we kept moving it back,” Dillon said. “Coach Raphelt came up and asked me my name and called coach Anderson to come out and watch.”
And the rest was history. With the Panthers struggling to kick extra points including losing a game to Crockett by two points, Westwood head coach Kevin Anderson asked Dillon to join the team that Thursday.
“I was going to try out, but I didn’t know that I could anymore because the season had already started,” Dillon said. “I would have loved to have done it before.”
The freshman didn’t get his first start until Week 8 in Westwood’s win over Mexia. Despite kicking in only four games this season, Dillon has made 27 extra points.
Friday night, in Westwood’s first ever playoff win, Dillon made all nine extra-point attempts in the Panthers’ narrow 65-59 victory over Diboll.
“He brings confidence to the team in knowing that we can make the extra point, and we might possibly have more wins if we had him earlier,” Westwood head coach Kevin Anderson said. “I think the kids believe in him and he believes in himself. We feel like it’s automatic when he lines up to kick the extra point.”
Dillon said that practicing reps and his background in soccer has helped him to become a better kicker.
“I kick soccer-style, and I think that playing soccer has helped me throughout the season,” the Westwood kicker said.
Dillon also has adjusted well with his new teammates, despite coming in late.
“I love being part of the team,” Dillon said. “At first, I thought they’d all pick on me, but I think they’ve got respect for me and I’ve got respect for them.”
When asked about a possible future in football at Westwood, Dillon was enthusiastic.
“I would love to be the kicker next year,” he said. “But kicker is the only thing I’d do. I don’t think I could play anywhere else.”
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Sally Sexton can be reached via e-mail at sports2@palestineherald.com
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