Showcase For The Specialist
Junior kicker Mitchell Groh shows off his leg in competitions during the offseason, most recently, qualifying for the national showcase in Orlando, Florida.
Mitchell Groh, soccer star and varsity kicker, has worked to distinguish himself on the football field.
We all know Mitchell Groh can kick field goals in the cold, windy weather of Dallastown football games. But this weekend, he will see if he can put them through the uprights in Orlando, Florida.
On Dec. 7, 2019, Groh participated in the Kohl’s Eastern Winter showcase in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he displayed his talents in kicking field goals, punting, and kick offs. There, he competed against over 100 other specialists for a spot to travel to Orlando, Florida, to compete nationally on January 4-5.
Similar competitions are held in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, and Dallas as well.
He was scored on distances and hang times on each kick, and scored in the top 10 percent of all of the participants in order to earn his spot.
Groh was overall happy with his performance, saying, “I did well in the field goals, but I would’ve liked to have done better on the punting. I knew that I could compete with the best from previous college camps and knew that if I just focused and if I just did my thing I would be fine,” said Groh.
His scores will be posted on Kohl’s website in January for college scouts to view and evaluate.
“He’s an insane athlete with an extraordinary work ethic. He’s always out on the field getting extra kicks up” football teammate Jacob Yoder said.
Groh began playing soccer when he was about 3 years old and it continues to be his “main sport,” but he made the jump to the football field freshman year to kick for the varsity team.
Mitchell Groh, back left, is seen with the other punters and kickers selected to attend the next round of competition in Orlando in January.
“I think I was most inspired to kick for football because I grew up watching the ones that came before me like Mac Curran and Drake Pew. They did both, and it made me want to try it,” Groh said.
When Groh joined the football team, the coaching staff was impressed with his dedication.
“Mitchell impressed us by being all in with the football team. He came to off-season weight training sessions. He showed up to summer practices and worked on his kicking techniques. The only time we did not see him through the season was when the soccer team had games. He would come to football and work on kicking before soccer practice. Mitchell is a great competitor and puts the necessary work in to be the best kicker/punter he can be,” former Dallastown football coach Kevin Myers said.
His hard work and dedication as well as 38.1 yards per punt with a season long of 63 yards, earned him a spot as a First Team All-County kicker and punter as well as a spot on the Second Team All-County soccer team.
Groh is grateful for the opportunity, stating, “it has helped me realize where I stand with the best in the country, and Florida will be an even bigger test of that.”
He has shown he can “kick it” into high gear and this weekend will look to get a “leg up” on some of the best specialists in the country.
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