THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 6, 1995 TAG: 9510060629
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TOM ROBINSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
It wasn't heaven, exactly, but Scott Caparelli says his first three seasons as a backup kicker at North Carolina were enjoyable enough. He was in school at a place he loved, albeit at his own expense, contributing to a big-time football program when and where he could.
Mostly that involved kicking off: never as a freshman, occasionally as a sophomore, most of the time as a junior. A walk-on, Caparelli probably couldn't have expected much more, despite his all-state pedigree acquired at Virginia Beach's Salem High School.
But when North Carolina recruited two kickers on scholarship this year, Caparelli could have been doomed to inactivity. Instead, he is so busy he's practically panting when he's not punting. Or kicking off. Or trying field goals and extra points.
If the Tar Heels need a ball kicked, Caparelli's their man. Remember, though, that when you do catch up to him these days, he no longer answers to walk-on.
Before the season, North Carolina became the rare college team with three scholarship placekickers when it awarded Caparelli a free ride for his senior year. It was in honor of Caparelli's winning battle with the touted freshmen and another walk-on for the starting job.
His burden unexpectedly grew greater when Caparelli stepped in as punter for quarterback Mike Thomas, the returning punter, who was unable to kick because of a hamstring injury.
Caparelli said bring it on. But even if Thomas, as is being discussed, resumes punting Saturday when the Tar Heels play host to Virginia, Caparelli won't lack work.
``I really thought I could be a starter,'' Caparelli said, reflecting on his career. ``I didn't know when it was going to happen and I didn't know if I'd ever see a scholarship. That came as a surprise to me. But I don't think there was ever a time that I didn't think I could start.''
Caparelli's rise isn't uncommon among college kickers. Tripp Pignetti, who kicked last season for North Carolina, was a former walk-on. And until this season, the Tar Heels had not brought in a freshman kicker on scholarship during Caparelli's tenure.
``Usually you try to find kickers and punters without giving up scholarships,'' Tim Brewster, North Carolina's special teams coach, said. ``This year we felt we had to go out and sign a couple kickers, but that's not the norm.
``The transition from kicking off a tee in high school to kicking off the ground in college is a major transition, so you're rolling the dice. I see very few true freshmen kickers coming in and being successful.''
Caparelli won out, Brewster said, because of his time in the program, his ability to reach the end zone fairly frequently with kickoffs and a better overall preseason showing.
He hasn't clicked at peak efficiency, though, through the Tar Heels' four games.
Caparelli's average of 35.1 yards per punt is among the lowest in the ACC. He has made all 10 extra point attempts and is 5 for 8 on field goals. However, beyond 30 yards Caparelli is 2 for 5. Brewster points to ball-handling inconsistencies among his snapper and holder as part of the problem.
Brewster expects them to improve, and said Caparelli will benefit when Thomas returns as punter.
``It will help when Scott can totally concentrate on kicking, when he can be less the jack of all trades but master of none,'' Brewster said.
In high school, Caparelli was masterful enough that Virginia, East Carolina and some Division I-AA schools sought him. Caparelli had attended a U.Va. kicking camp and thought the school was for him, but the scholarship offer he anticipated never came.
He balked at smaller programs and elected North Carolina after a fawning visit to Chapel Hill, which he'll leave next spring with a degree in economics.
Now, Virginia, ninth-ranked by the Associated Press, visits for the first time since 1992. Finally, Caparelli is in a position to do the Cavaliers some damage. And don't think it won't mean something extra if he does.
``Virginia left a bad taste in my mouth when I was still in high school,'' Caparelli said. ``I've pretty much gotten over it, it's been four years. But there's still a little bit of rivalry there.'' ILLUSTRATION: THE DURHAM HERALD-SUN photo
North Carolina's Scott Caparelli has taken over the punting and
kicking chores for the Tar Heels, and he's earned a scholarship.
by CNB