2012 kickoff returns for TDs97–Chad Toliver, McCallie, vs. Father Ryan95–Scotty Lively, Trion, vs. LaFayette94–Hassan Miller, Tyner, vs. Signal Mountain91–Andrew Haynes, Calhoun, vs. Dalton89–Blake Cates, Sequatchie County, vs. South Pittsburg86–Willie Stewart, Tyner, vs. Brainerd85–Tony Francois, East Hamilton, vs. Signal Mountain85–Justin Ware, Walker Valley, vs. Cleveland83–Auston Banks, Notre Dame, vs. Grace Academy77–Tony Summerow, Lookout Valley, vs. South Pittsburg69–Nick Chambers, Notre Dame, vs. Grace Academy2012 punt returns for TDs78–Chris Wimberly, Polk County, vs. Sweetwater70–Auston Banks, Notre Dame, vs. Grace Academy71–Isaiah Robinson, Hixson, vs. Red Bank41–Duncan Coffey, Polk County, vs. Central40–Travis Nunley, Dade County, vs. North Sand Mountain22–Chase Miller, Boyd-Buchanan, vs. Chattanooga Christian
The kickoff return for a touchdown is a shrinking violet in the NFL, the number dropping from an average of 19 the previous four seasons to nine in 2011.
Area high schools already have amassed 11 slightly more than halfway through the regular season, the longest being a 97-yarder by McCallie junior Chad Toliver. There have been six punt returns for scores.
“They’re one of the most exciting plays because everything is so spread out,” Ridgeland coach Mark Mariakis said. “You can see more as a fan as opposed to a trap play up the middle. On a return the ball carrier is in open space and zigzagging across the field. They’re exciting, but for us any TD is an exciting play.”
The NFL moved its kickoffs from the 30- to the 35-yard line in 2010 with the idea of cutting down on the number of full-speed collisions and subsequent injuries. On kickoffs that are not returned, the ball is placed at the 20-yard line. The NCAA followed suit this year, moving kickoffs to the 35-yard line. If the kickoff is a touchback — and both pro and college players can bring kickoffs out of the end zone – colleges place the ball on the offense’s 25-yard line.