Mooresville Football Player Relishes In A Role That Many Stray Away From

Football is a sports of flashy quarterbacks and receivers, hard hitting defenders, and even kickers get some love from time to time. Rarely is any real air time set aside to talk about the punter. Most football fans do not grow up dreaming of being a special teams star. They would rather play a skill position, maybe even a lineman or another sport all together. The same can somewhat be said for Mooresville football player, Mason Richards.

“I used to play other positions when I was younger. I played wide receiver, corner, and my dad was my coach. We found out if you kick, it’s actually two points so my dad was like, hey, we need a kicker. I was like, i’m willing to try so ever since little league, i’ve been kicking.”

As his skills as a punter grew over the years, so did his appreciation for that side of the ball, something that can be lost on the average viewer.

“A lot of people overlook special teams, that’s for sure but they don’t realize that special teams can make or break a game. It could be a game winning field goal or a punt that goes out at the one.”

When he’s not playing or practicing, he works at a driving range. To mason a good kick takes the same skill and focus as a quality swing of the club.

“There’s a bunch of little things that has to go into it. It has to be in front of you, lined up with your leg, turned a little bit left, pointed down. It’s kind of it’s preference.”

Going into his senior year, his leg has gotten his foot in the door at some high profile programs. While he has a few offers under his belt, he wants to set himself up for the future, by focusing on the task at hand.

“I like to get out to the field with them, to work with them but it’s been awesome. I’m getting myself out there earning an offer that’s helpful but it’s really building relationships with coaches.”