Chuck Landon: HHS' Kessinger bangs 53-yard walk-off FG

Cason Kessinger knew it was good.

So, he didn't even watch it go through the uprights.

When Huntington High's soccer-style placekicker booted a career-long 53-yard field goal against Spring Valley last Friday, Kessinger turned immediately after the ball left his foot and began walking off the grass field.

That's right, he did a walk-off.

So, was he being cocky? Not in the least. What Kessinger was being was confident. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

"As soon as I hit the ball I knew it was good," said Kessinger matter-of-factly. "And I started walking off the field."

Imagine a walk-off home run in baseball, but instead on a field-goal attempt.

That's what the 5-foot-9, 165-pound senior did. And he didn't give it a second thought.

"Yeah, I didn't expect a big celebration," said Kessinger, a bit sheepishly, "but I guess it got the team pretty hyped."

That's how understated he is. Kessinger has a calm, low-key demeanor, which seems to include very few peaks and valleys. Instead, he appears quietly confident and seems to maintain an even keel.

In short, he possesses the perfect personality for a placekicker.

"I really don't have any emotion," said Kessinger. "I love kicking it, but the pressure doesn't bother me. I have confidence in the rest of my team. And I have confidence in what I do."

That confidence shined through in his 53-yard field goal.

"Coach (Billy Seals) asked me if I could make it," said Kessinger. "And I said, 'Yeah.' I mean, I was making kicks from 60 yards when I was warming up. And I make 60-yard kicks on a daily basis before practice."

So, he feels comfortable at 60 yards?

"Not always," said Kessinger. "I feel comfortable at 55 yards and in. Then, when I feel good, I feel good at 60 yards."

It's ironic his day-to-day comfort zone is 55 yards, considering that just happens to be the West Virginia high school state record.

"I would like to get the state record," said Kessinger. "I actually don't know who holds the record or exactly how long the kick was."

The record is held by two kickers. Nitro's John Hogshead set the record in 1975 with a 55-yard field goal. Then, Fayetteville's Craig Williams equaled the mark in 1999.

"It would be sweet to get that record," said Kessinger. "I think I can get it, if I get the opportunity."

Oh, he'll get the opportunity. Seals will see to that. Huntington's head coach already has watched Kessinger make 19 of 22 field goal attempts.

"I remember the first time I saw him," said Seals. "His father would bring Cason and his twin brother (Sasha) up to our field on Sundays and let them kick.

"I finally went over and talked to them. I had to know who that little eighth-grader was who was drilling 35-yard field goals."

Both Kessingers kicked for Huntington High's football team and played soccer as ninth-graders. But, then, they went their separate ways.

"Sasha decided to play just soccer," said Cason, "and I decided to play just football."

Two seasons later, he's definitely a major-college prospect. But there's a catch. Maryland appears interested, but Kessinger has yet to receive any scholarship offers.

"I'm just waiting on them," he said. "Hopefully, I'll get some."

He will.

Those uprights are like Kessinger's "Field of Dreams."

If he kicks it, they will come.