EDITOR’S NOTE: Since 2002, the Times Free Press has highlighted the top 12 college football prospects among Chattanooga-area seniors with its preseason Dynamite Dozen. The countdown of this year’s list continues with No. 10.
RINGGOLD, Ga. — One of the enduring moments of Jake Collett’s junior season at Heritage was actually a missed kick.
Collett, a highly rated kicker and punter who has committed to the University of Texas, was preparing to attempt a game-tying field goal at rival Ringgold in the final minute when a third-down sack and a penalty for a personal foul pushed the ball back toward midfield.
Time for a Hail Mary, right? A buzz went through the crowd, however, as Heritage’s field-goal unit ran out instead. As opposing coaches and most of the home crowd pleaded with the defense to prepare for a trick play of some sort, Collett calmly took some practice swings with his right leg, then produced a loud thud as his kick sent the ball into the night toward the goal posts.
At the end, though, it sailed wide as it sped past halfway up the post. As teammates and some opposing players congratulated him on the big boot, Collett dropped his head in disappointment.