ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, October 16, 1996 TAG: 9610160015
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-11 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: BILL RAY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
Some of the best young football talent Christiansburg has to offer was on display last Sunday afternoon as 34 athletes 8 to 15 years old participated in the NFL, Gatorade Punt, Pass and Kick competition held at Christiansburg High School.
The annual competition has been in the area for more than 20 years and is open to both boys and girls.
"I am 34 years old now," said Tim Johnson of the Christiansburg Jaycees, "and I can remember doing it as a kid."
The event, sponsored by the Christiansburg Jaycees and the Christiansburg Department of Parks and Recreation, was the local level of a national competition culminating in a trip to the NFL Pro Bowl in Honolulu. During the halftime show at the all-star game, regional winners will compete for distinction as the best youth football athlete in America.
Contestants are judged on both accuracy and distance in three fundamental gridiron disciplines: punting, passing and kicking.
Christiansburg High School's Jonathan Bradley posted the most impressive scores Sunday, collecting 336 points in the boys 14-15 age bracket. The sophomore tight end and linebacker on the Blue Demon's varsity football team earned the right to advance to sectional competition at Woodrow Wilson High School.
Bradley is a contest veteran, having participated since he was 8. He has been a local winner several times. Although his score of 336 was 92 points higher than any other age group winner, it was not his best performance.
A win at the sectionals would earn Bradley a trip to RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., for the state title. He is optimistic about his chances in the 12-athlete field at sectionals this weekend.
"I think I have a pretty good chance this time," Bradley said. "I have made it to sectionals a few times but never to RFK. It would be really great to play in front of all those people."
GATORADE NFL PUNT,
PASS AND KICK WINNERS
Boys Division:
Age 8-9: Travis Wagoner; punt, 59 yards; pass 58 yards; kick 44 yards - total 161
10-11: Adam Crowder, punt 79, pass 67, kick 98 - 244
12-13: Forest Redd, punt 75; pass 84; Kick 84 - 243
14-15: Jonathan Bradley, punt 85; pass 136; kick 116 - 336
Girls Division
8-9: Hope Creasy, punt 37; pass 47; kick 41 - 125
10-11: Ashley Redd, punt 24; pass 68, Kick-43 - 135
If you have an idea for a story or note about recreational sports, call Bill Ray or Angie Watts at 381-1672 in Montgomery County or Radford or 1-800-346-1234, extension 672 elsewhere or fax to 381-1656.
LENGTH: Medium: 60 linesby CNB