There’s a new foot in town

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So, who’s this kid with the golden foot over at Chaminade? You know, the guy who knocked off defending Division I state bowl champs Canyon, 24-21, after he kicked a 37-yard field goal with 29 seconds left in the game?

Well, it turns out he’s a freshman named Matt Goudis and he is, at least for this weekend, the most popular guy over at Chaminade.

Of course, none of this comes as a surprise to Chaminade Coach Anthony Harris. He already has put a level of trust on Goudis’ shoulders that is normally reserved for battle-hardened seniors.

‘I knew he was good when we did an OT session in a scrimmage against Agoura and he made a bunch of [field goals],’ Harris said. ‘He also made one against Chatsworth last week, so I knew he could make it when he went out there.’

Harris didn’t bother getting preachy with his new kicker. As the clock winded down and the Eagles got into field-goal position, all Harris told him was to get ready. With a self-assured, ‘OK, coach,’ Goudis went to the practice net to warm up. He then trotted onto the field and won the game.

‘He’s hit every extra-point attempt [19] for us and he’s two for two on field goals,’ said Harris, who said Goudis has a soccer background, although Harris isn’t sure if he’s going to try out for the school’s soccer team.

But Goudis is already giving his foot plenty of work -- besides his varsity role, Goudis is spending his Thursday afternoons this fall as a kicker and wide receiver on the Chaminade freshman team.

With so much practice, it’s kind of frightening to think how good this kid can be once he’s a junior or senior.

- Austin Knoblauch