NFL Pepsi Punt Pass and Kick Finalist

01/06/2009

32 FINALISTS OUT OF 3.5 MILLION CONTESTANTS QUALIFY FOR
NFL PEPSI PUNT, PASS AND KICK NATIONAL FINALS IN CHARLOTTE

Finalists Hail From 21 States, FOX to Spotlight Champions

Thirty-two young football enthusiasts from around the country will compete in the NFL PEPSI PUNT, PASS & KICK National Finals on January 10, prior to the NFC Divisional Playoff Game in Charlotte, North Carolina. A special on-field award presentation will air after the 3rd quarter of Saturday’s game, which airs on FOX.

Boys and girls will compete separately in four age divisions, with the top scorer in each group crowned national champion. All participants launch one punt, one pass and one kick, with scores based on distance and accuracy (in feet). All 32 youngsters advanced to the National Finals through local, sectional and team championship competitions held throughout the NFL regular season. The top four scorers in each age group from around the country qualified as national finalists.

NFL Pepsi Punt, Pass and Kick is the nation’s largest grassroots sports skills competition. Current NFL stars including New York Jets QB BRETT FAVRE, Baltimore Ravens K MATT STOVER and Houston Texans P MATT TURK competed in the Punt, Pass and Kick program as youngsters.

“The NFL Pepsi Punt, Pass and Kick program gives millions of girls and boys around the country a way to be active participants in the game of football,” said ALEXIA GALLAGHER, NFL Director of Youth Football. “We are pleased to see so many of our young fans entering the world of NFL football through this program.”

All participants and their two guests are provided airfare, hotel accommodations and tickets to the Arizona Cardinals-Carolina Panthers game in Charlotte.

Finalists are listed along with the NFL team that hosted their regional competition:

Girls 8-9
Boys 8-9

Tori Hanson, Delano, MN (Vikings)
Justin Jefferson, St. Rose, LA (Saints)

Maura Hoying, Coldwater, OH (Bengals)
Michael Colonna, Miami, FL (Dolphins)

Samantha Mendoza, San Angelo, TX (Cowboys)
Michael McCoy, Santa Ynez, CA (Raiders)

Maci Hutto, Aiken, SC (Panthers)
Jacob Robinson, Granger, IN (Colts)

Girls 10-11
Boys 10-11

Dominique Greeno, Lacey, WA (Seahawks)
Evan Delaney, Hadley, MA (Patriots)

Jamie Holscher, Lincoln, NE (Chiefs)
Jacob Donahoe, Mesquite, TX (Cowboys)

Bekah Alcozar, Belton, TX (Texans)
Joshua Reyes, Streetsboro, OH (Browns)

Jenna Goodrich, Davie, FL (Dolphins)
Kevin Pickelsimmer, Clinton Township, MI (Lions)

Girls 12-13
Boys 12-13

Sarah Firestone, Mercersburg, PA (Ravens)
Andrew Beck, Harker Heights, TX (Texans)

Elisa Formiglio, Bozrah, CT (Patriots)
Ryan Garmer, Dyer, TN (Titans)

Felicia Stancil, Lake Villa, IL (Bears)
Luke Randolph, Pendleton, IN (Colts)

Aubri McCoy, Volant, PA (Steelers)
Homer Woody IV, Indiana, PA (Steelers)

Girls 14-15
Boys 14-15

Anna Grant, Stratham, NH (Patriots)
Collin Hartman, Indianapolis, IN (Colts)

Mikala Gordon, Pueblo, CO (Broncos)
Ronnie Gideon, Hallsville, TX (Cowboys)

Megan Ozungla, San Antonio, TX (Texans)
Luke Weiss, River Falls, WI (Packers)

Jessica Escalante, Santa Barbara, CA (49ers)
Kyle Auernhamer, Vassar, MI (Lions)

NFL Pepsi Punt, Pass and Kick is part of NFL Youth Football, which provides ways for children to play, watch and experience the game of football. More information about the competition is on NFL YOUTH FOOTBALL, the NFL’s official youth football website.

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