Experience isn't everything

Blacksburg punter Josh Batton is averaging a more-than-respectable 36 yards a punt in his first year playing an organized sport. THEY say that experience is the most valuable commodity on the football field.

But what do THEY know.

Blacksburg High punter Josh Batton is proving that experience isn't everything.

Batton never played organized football before this season, but the junior has become one of the team's most valuable players - to the surprise of Blacksburg head coach Mickey Moss.

"He's just a kid who wandered out for the team," Moss said. "We didn't have a kicker or punter. All of his kicks were end over end, but we worked with him and he took a liking to it."

Batton always had a passion for football. But circumstances beyond his control forced him to confine that passion to the backyard or schoolyard. But last spring, his friends convinced him to try out for the team.

"I was kicking the ball with some of my friends and they said I was good at," Batton said.

He made an immediate impression at spring practice.

"(The coaches) said for anybody that thinks they can kick to line up," Batton said. "So I tried it and got good at it."

So, good that Batton has become an important weapon for the offensively challenged Wildcats.

"I've been told by the coaches that my job is very important," he said. "If our defense holds them, it helps our field position."

Batton attributes his success to above-average flexibility he traces to kick-boxing techniques taught to him by his dad, an ex-Marine.

"He taught me to kick my leg high," he said.

But if flexibility was the only key to punting, then the world-famous Rockettes would be dotting every NFL roster.

"I had a lot more to learn," Batton said. "I had a bad drop. But then I started making good contact with the ball."

He credits coaching sessions with Moss and assistant coach Tony Sullivan for improving his ball drop and refining his technique.

"They taught me to drop the ball properly and swing my leg straight," he said.

The result has been amazing.

In addition to averaging a more than respectable 36 yards a punt, he's adept at pinning teams inside their own 20-yard line.

"I've gotten a whole lot better," he said. I used to punt it just 25 yards. Then I got better after the summer."

Despite his success punting the ball, Batton said he has no intention of pulling double-duty as the team's place-kicker.

"I'm just never very good at it," he said.

But he does want to contribute to the Wildcats in ways other than on special teams.

"I love playing defense, too," he said. "I love to hit somebody. Coach Moss said when I got the defense down, I hope to play defensive end."

Batton admits he wonders how far his punts would travel today had he took up the sport earlier.

"I wish I could have played a lot sooner because I would be better than I am now," he said. "But I'm grateful that I could play this year."

So are the Wildcats.

JOSH BATTON FACT BOX

POSITION: Punter MEASUREMENTS: 6-0, 175 lbs.

WORTHY OF NOTE: The firstyear player is averaging about 36 yards a punt for the Wildcats.

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW: Batton also wants to play defense for the Wildcats.