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Padron gives East Surry kickstart
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Justin Nuzzo
Staff Reporter
PILOT MOUNTAIN - Kicker Jorge Padron has helped kickstart the season for East Surry's football and soccer programs.
Padron, a junior now, started kicking on the East Surry football team when he was a freshman, when he kicked in two games.
Padron was born in Buena Puerto, Mexico.
“About a year ago, I became a U.S. citizen,” Padron said.
His teammates have been very supportive of Padron.
“They support me a lot, when I go up there and kick, they tell me I've done a good job, that pumps me up too.”
East Surry football coach Dave Diamont is pumped up too.
“We're thrilled with what Jorge has done,” he said. “By playing two sports, sometimes, he's not able to practice with us, so he has come in, every opportunity, before or after practice, and he's been very dependable, and he works real hard.”
Having a field goal kicker who can boot through those 40 to 45-yard kicks through the uprights can give an offense that extra scoring opportunity to win games, according to Diamont.
“It definitely changes things on the offense,” Diamont said. “I feel really comfortable putting the field goal team out there. It definitely gives us a threat. If you're gonna defense us when we get the ball inside the 30 yard line, we're gonna try to get some points off you.”
Padron made kicks of 42, 35 and 26 yards last week against North Surry to help the Cardinals to a 36-16 victory.
As much of an asset a good kicker like Padron is to Diamont, it has even made the coach think about changing his offensive philosophy - even the one written on his van's license plate.
“Let's put it this way, the license tag on my 1987 Aerostar Van reads, ‘Go for two,'” Diamont said. “I've always run for two-point conversions, but with Jorge, I'm gonna have to change my offensive philosophy.”
Padron said the longest kick he can make is about a 52-yard field goal.
“Right now, I'd say a 52-yard field goal,” Padron said.
Padron enjoys being an asset to his football team.
“There are some times where you need kickers, like overtime, and I think that helps a lot,” he said.
And Padron's success has transcended to the soccer field as well this season.
“Jorge's really handled his duel duties, both for football and for soccer, very well and in a very mature manner,” East Surry coach William Hart said. “He's evolved into a team leader for the soccer team. I know he's very well liked by the football team, and that says a lot.”
On the soccer field, he's equally excited about his role.
“It's going well,” he said. “I had an injury, but I'm pulling through it.”
As a defensive sweeper for the soccer squad, Padron's job is to keep the other team from scoring.
“My main job is to not let the other team score points,” he said. “And, I'm the last defender to take the ball out.”
As for having to pick a favorite sport between football and soccer, Padron positions himself on the fence.
“Right now, I like both,” he said. “If I had an option to choose, it would be really hard for me.”
Padron and his brother, Damian Padron, are one of four sets of brothers on the Cardinals soccer team.
Contact Justin Nuzzo at jnuzzo@mtairynews.com or 719-1922.
Staff Reporter
PILOT MOUNTAIN - Kicker Jorge Padron has helped kickstart the season for East Surry's football and soccer programs.
Padron, a junior now, started kicking on the East Surry football team when he was a freshman, when he kicked in two games.
Padron was born in Buena Puerto, Mexico.
“About a year ago, I became a U.S. citizen,” Padron said.
His teammates have been very supportive of Padron.
“They support me a lot, when I go up there and kick, they tell me I've done a good job, that pumps me up too.”
East Surry football coach Dave Diamont is pumped up too.
“We're thrilled with what Jorge has done,” he said. “By playing two sports, sometimes, he's not able to practice with us, so he has come in, every opportunity, before or after practice, and he's been very dependable, and he works real hard.”
Having a field goal kicker who can boot through those 40 to 45-yard kicks through the uprights can give an offense that extra scoring opportunity to win games, according to Diamont.
“It definitely changes things on the offense,” Diamont said. “I feel really comfortable putting the field goal team out there. It definitely gives us a threat. If you're gonna defense us when we get the ball inside the 30 yard line, we're gonna try to get some points off you.”
Padron made kicks of 42, 35 and 26 yards last week against North Surry to help the Cardinals to a 36-16 victory.
As much of an asset a good kicker like Padron is to Diamont, it has even made the coach think about changing his offensive philosophy - even the one written on his van's license plate.
“Let's put it this way, the license tag on my 1987 Aerostar Van reads, ‘Go for two,'” Diamont said. “I've always run for two-point conversions, but with Jorge, I'm gonna have to change my offensive philosophy.”
Padron said the longest kick he can make is about a 52-yard field goal.
“Right now, I'd say a 52-yard field goal,” Padron said.
Padron enjoys being an asset to his football team.
“There are some times where you need kickers, like overtime, and I think that helps a lot,” he said.
And Padron's success has transcended to the soccer field as well this season.
“Jorge's really handled his duel duties, both for football and for soccer, very well and in a very mature manner,” East Surry coach William Hart said. “He's evolved into a team leader for the soccer team. I know he's very well liked by the football team, and that says a lot.”
On the soccer field, he's equally excited about his role.
“It's going well,” he said. “I had an injury, but I'm pulling through it.”
As a defensive sweeper for the soccer squad, Padron's job is to keep the other team from scoring.
“My main job is to not let the other team score points,” he said. “And, I'm the last defender to take the ball out.”
As for having to pick a favorite sport between football and soccer, Padron positions himself on the fence.
“Right now, I like both,” he said. “If I had an option to choose, it would be really hard for me.”
Padron and his brother, Damian Padron, are one of four sets of brothers on the Cardinals soccer team.
Contact Justin Nuzzo at jnuzzo@mtairynews.com or 719-1922.
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