Hatcher Tries to Get Leg Up on Other County Kickers

Every Saturday morning, Tim Hatcher of El Modena High School flips through the sports section and goes straight to the high school football line scores.

Hatcher isn’t looking for who won and lost, only who kicked.

“I like keeping track of the other kickers in Orange County,” said Hatcher, a senior. “I check on who’s kicking field goals and who kicked the longest.”

After Friday, though, it may be the other kickers who are checking up on him. Hatcher, The Times’ athlete of the week, made 5 field goals in the Vanguards’ 29-0 victory over Canyon.

He missed only once, falling short from 52 yards on his first effort. Hatcher then connected on field goals of 35, 21, 45, 30 and 27 yards.

The 5 field goals tied a single-game Southern Section record held by John Lee of Downey (1980) and Luis Zendejas (1980) and Al Zendejas (1984), both of Don Lugo. Luis Zendejas is with the Dallas Cowboys, Lee kicked for the St. Louis Cardinals and Al Zendejas, Luis’ cousin, is at Arizona State.

“That’s some pretty good company to be among,” Hatcher said.

Hatcher isn’t concerned with comparing himself to anyone except other kickers in the county, however.

He keeps track of what they all do, especially Phil Nevin of El Dorado and Mike Ammann of Mater Dei.

“They both have the longest field goals this season, 53 yards,” Hatcher said.

Hatcher, who has made 7 of 8 field goals, has kicked a pair of 47-yarders in his career, breaking Rick Vanderhoff’s school record of 46. He is also chasing Vanderhoff’s single-season record of 13 field goals.

“A lot of people questioned whether I should have sent Tim in to try that 52-yarder (against Canyon),” El Modena Coach Bill Backstrom said. “Actually, I got on him about missing it. He kicks those constantly in practice. I wouldn’t be afraid to use him from 54 yards and in.”

Hatcher says his goal is to make the all-county team. He knows the competition is strong this year.

“There are a lot good kickers this season,” he said. “I would like to go watch them play to see how they kick, maybe pick up something. But their games are usually on the same night as ours.

“But I keep my eye on them.”

Every Saturday.

TOP PERFORMERS

David Gutierrez of La Habra intercepted 2 passes and returned a fumble 44 yards for a touchdown as the Highlanders shut out Sunny Hills, 14-0, Friday.

Eddie Lavelle of Corona del Mar ran the fastest time in Saturday’s Orange County Cross-Country Championships at Irvine Park. Lavelle finished first with a time of 15 minutes 2 seconds.

Tim Manning of Trabuco Hills had 80 yards in 9 carries and 3 receptions for 30 yards. He also scored 3 touchdowns and a 2-point conversion as the Mustangs defeated Orange, 34-0, Thursday.

Chris Oeding of Corona del Mar scored 5 goals as the Sea Kings defeated Sunny Hills, 10-8, Saturday in the North Orange County water polo tournament final.

Mitch Steinke of Irvine rushed for 171 yards in only 10 carries and scored 2 touchdowns as the Vaqueros defeated San Clemente, 27-7, Friday. He also set a school record for longest run from scrimmage with a 96-yard touchdown run.

Tim Hatcher

El Modena High School

Position: Kicker

Height, Weight, Class: 5-10, 160, Senior

Last Week: Hatcher kicked 5 field goals, tying a Southern Section record, in the Vanguards’ 29-0 victory over Can yon. Hatcher made kicks from 35, 21, 45, 30 and 27 yards. He missed a 52-yard kick.

Season: Hatcher has made 7 of 8 field goals this season.