PALM BEACH GARDENS – Kickers, punters, and long snappers need some love.
They got just that and more in a big way today (July 6).
Chicago Bears punter, University of Miami alum, and Palm Beach Central legend Pat O’Donnell hosted his first kicking camp this morning at Benjamin High School. It’s said to be the first of its kind in Palm Beach County.
O’Donnell brought out Cleveland Browns kicker, FAU all-timer, and American Heritage (Delray Beach) legend Greg Joseph. He also had current Cardinal Newman special teams coach, UConn all-timer, and Dwyer alum Bobby Puyol at his camp.
These three former Palm Beach County special teams standouts – along with the help of their mentor/4th Down Solutions founder Tony Bugeja – have joined forces to serve as a collective inspiration to the current and next generation of kickers, punter, and long snappers in our area. They witnessed more than 100 youngsters out there that wanted to get some work in at today’s camp.
There existed a series of kicking, punting, and conditioning drills in individual groups for the majority of the event. It was followed by three separate competition challenges: the fastest man challenge, the kicking challenge, and the punting challenge.
High school football fans in Palm Beach County should be on the lookout for Palm Beach Lakes 2023 punter and wide receiver Tre-Anthony Hardy. The incoming freshman outlasted all comers to win the first-ever Pat O’Donnell Fastest Man Challenge.
“It was hard,” Hardy said. “You just got to work at it every day.”
Hardy provided some insight on the kicking and punting challenges as well.
“It was competitive,” he said. “Everybody was going at it. We got some good punters and kickers out here.”
Another name that Palm Beach County should look out for: Chris Fervil.
He’s possibly the area’s only black punter/kicker at his position. And he might emerge as one of the best overall special teams players from the 2021 class.
The John I. Leonard junior punter – Fervil’s primary position – finished second overall in the Pat O’Donnell Punting Challenge. This outing may go on to serve as a springboard for his success over the next two seasons ahead, at the very least.
Fervil went 13-of-14 in point after attempts and 1-of-1 in field goal attempts as a sophomore last season for the Lancers. He also recorded a touchback.
Also at the Pat O’Donnell Kicking Camp today were Wellington 2020 long snapper Patrick Tobin (4.5 star rating – Kohl’s Kicking), Wellington 2022 punter Josh Brown, Cardinal Newman 2021 kicker Carson Wilt, and 3A All-State kicker Jack Gabbe (Cardinal Newman; 4.5 star kicker – Kohl’s Kicking; available to play college football in 2020).
In a session with the media during the camp, O’Donnell spoke about the appreciation he had for today’s participants.
“I know it’s not the glorified position that everyone’s used to, but all of the kickers and punters gave 100 percent effort out here,” O’Donnell said. “It’s cool to have the kids learn what it’s like to deal with the pressure of making a kick. Some of these kids have never kicked a ball, so it’s good for them to learn one thing today from our coaches.”
Additional assistance came from Chicago Bears kicker Eddy Pineiro, who is a Florida alum and Miami Sunset High legend in his own right.
The last word on the new wave of kickers came from Joseph, who was just like one of them several years ago.
“It’s awesome,” Joseph said of the scores of youth who participated in this camp. “This is going to increase the level of competition and make them all better. It’s great for them to get the exposure they have now.”
