State Semifinal Playoffs- Special Teams Players of the Week (2015)

Our Player of the Week posts are designed to recognize the top kicking, punting and long snapping performances of the week in Minnesota at the High School Level.  We will also recognize the top STFA trained collegiate specialists and our 'out of state' athlete performances too.

As the State Tournament Semifinal games came to an end, there were a number of close and exciting game. It is always fun to see what teams continue to stay strong, and what teams make surprise upsets. 

The Top Kicker was Mitch Bourgerie of St Michael Albertville HS. He had a great game kicking 4 PATs and 1 field goal of 7 points.  The Top Punter was Dan Pietruszewski of South St Paul HS. Dan had 3 punts for 131 total yards and a 43.7 yard average.

This week we had some great performances by our STFA trained collegiate athletes.   Our kicker of the week had a great game as a kicker and punter.  Nathan Mesher of Laurier University who kicked 1 PAT and 3 field goals of 10, 37 and 39 yards for 10 points He also had 10 punts for 382 total yards and a 38.2 yard average. Long of 46 yards and 3 punts I-20.

Congrats to everyone who earned a spot this week on their big kicking performances!  Good luck to everyone still in their state playoff runs.  


Top Minnesota High School Specialists 

Top Kicker

• Mitch Bourgerie- St Michael Albertville HS- 4 for 4 PATs and 1 field goal of 24 yards- 7 points

Honorable Mention

• Grant Ryerse- East Ridge HS- 3 for 3 PATs and 1 field goal of 24 yards- 6 points
• Mac Brown- St Thomas Academy- 2 for 2 PATs and 1 field goal of 27 yards- 5 points
• Wes Ojulu- Grand Meadow HS- 5 for 5 PATs- 5 points
• Caleb Tinklenberg- Pipestona Area HS- 5 for 6 PATs- 5 points
• Henry Russert- Caledonia HS- 5 for 6 PATs- 5 points

Top Punter

• Dan Pietruszewski- South St Paul HS- 3 punts for 131 total yards and a 43.7 yard average.

Honorable Mention

• Nicholas Skluzacek- Rocori HS- 4 punts for 165 total yards and a 41.2 yard average
• Grant Ryerse- East Ridge HS- 4 punts for 154 total yards and a 38.5 yard average
• Mac Brown- St Thomas Academy- 3 punts for 105 total yards and a 35.0 yard average
• Wes Ojulu- Grand Meadow- 3 punts for 105 total yards and a 35.0 yard average

Game Winners 

• Brady Beuschel- Upper Iowa University- 34 yard game winning field goal against Wayne State U.

Top STFA Collegiate Specialists

• Nathan Mesher-Laurier University- 1 for 1 PATs and 3 field goals of 10, 37 and 39 yards. 10 points. 10 punts for 382 total yards and a 38.2 yard average. Long of 46 yards and 3 punts I-20

Honorable Mention

• Brady Beuschel- Upper Iowa University- 4 for 4 PATs and 2 field goals of 30 & 34 yards for 10 points.  34 yard game winning FG in over time against Wayne State
• Ben Lyons- Northwestern University (MN)- 4 for 4 PATs and 1 field goal of 42 yards- 7 points
• Trevor Naslund- St Cloud State University- 4 punts for 150 total yards and a 37.5 yard average. Long of 43 yards
• Donnie Mavencamp- U of MN-Morris- 7 punts for 257 total yards and a 36.7 yard average. Long of 43 yards and 3 punts I-20
• Joe Tjosvold- MSU Moorhead- 4 for 4 PATs and 1 field goal of 27 yards- 7 points

Congratulations to you all!

Coach Chris Husby

Professional Kicking Coach and Owner

Special Teams Football Academy

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Section Championship Playoffs- Special Teams Players of the Week (2015)

Our Player of the Week posts are designed to recognize the top kicking, punting and long snapping performances of the week in Minnesota at the High School Level.  We will also recognize the top STFA trained collegiate specialists and our 'out of state' athlete performances too.

As the playoffs reach the Section Championship rounds, it's always fun to see what teams continue to stay strong, and what teams make surprise upsets. 

Last week all remaining Minnesota teams were playing for a berth at the State Tournament. There were a lot of tight and high scoring games. One kicker in particular had a big game for his team. Dean Lumb of Osseo HS (Class 6A) spent a lot of time on the field. He hit 8 for 8 on PATs for a total of 8 points for his team.  Osseo is having a very good season and is currently 7-3 entering the state tournament.

The Top Punter was Mac Brown of St Thomas Academy (Class 5A) who had a great all around game. Mac booted 4 punts for 192 total yards and a 48 yard average.  He kicked 3 PATs, had 5 kickoffs including two touch backs.  He also rushed for 1 touchdown.  On a side note: STA recovered a fumble on one of the punts and also recovered a fumble on a kick off.  St Thomas Academy is also having a great season so far and is 9-1 enter the state tournament.

The top Out of State STFA trained Specialist is Cameron Hausman of New Richmond HS (WI).  He's had a recent surge of big game performances.  This week he converted 5 for 5 on PATs and 1 field goal of 32 yards. He also kicked 3 touchbacks.

This week we name 2 STFA trained collegiate athletes for our kickers of the week.  Nathan Mesher of Wilfrid Laurier University (Canada) had another multi field goal game he kicked 5 PATs and 4 total field goals and 17 points for his team.  Joe Tjosvold of MSU Moorhead went 3 for 3 on PATs and kicked 3 field goals of 39, 19 and 29 yards for 12 points

Congrats to everyone who earned a spot this week on their big kicking performances!  Good luck to everyone still in their state playoff runs.

Dean Lumb

Top Minnesota High School Specialists 

Top Kicker

• Dean Lumb- Osseo HS- 8 for 8 PATs- 8 points

Honorable Mention

• Jackson Luther- Marshall HS- 4 for 4 PATs and 1 field goal of 41 yards- 7 points
• Isaac Stadler- Northfield HS- 2 field goals of 29 and 39 yards- 6 points
• Diego Meza-Palmer- Minneota HS- 3 for 3 PATs and 1 field goal of 33 yards- 6 points
• Tanner Deming/Phelps- Tracy-Milroy-Balaton HS- 3 for 3 PATs and 1 field goal of 32 yards- 6 points

Mac Brown

Top Punter

• Mac Brown- St Thomas Academy- 4 punts for 192 total yards and a 48 yard average.  Also kicked 3 PATs, had 5 Kickoffs includieng Two Touchbacks.

Honorable Mention

• Grant Ryerse- East Ridge HS- 3 punts for 130 total years and a 43.3 yard average.  Also kicked 3 PATs and 1 field goal from 28 yards.
• Travis Brown- St Michael Albertville HS- 3 punts for 124 total yards and a 41.3 yard average.
• AJ Laudet- Stilwater HS- 3 punts for 121 total yards and a 40.3 yard average
• Logan Rogers- Adrian HS- 4 punts for 160 total yards and a 40.0 yard average
• Nick Willenbring- Simley HS- 3 punts for 116 total yards and a 38.7 yard average

Cameron Hausman

Top Out of State STFA Specialists

• Cameron Hausman- New Richmond HS (WI)- 5 for 5 PATs and 1 field goal of 32 yards.  As well as 3 touchbacks.- 8 points

Notable Performance

• Willie Fust- U of MN Morris- Long Snapper- Returned a 72 yd fumble for a touchdown

Nathan Mesher

Top STFA Collegiate Specialists

• Nathan Mesher- Wilfrid Laurier University (Canada)- 5 PATs and 4 field goals- 17 points
• Joe Tjosvold- MSU Moorhead- 3 for 3 PATs and 3 field goals of 39, 19 and 29 yards- 12 points

Joe Tjosvold

Honorable Mention

• Paul Graupner- St Thomas University- 6 for 6 PATs and 1 field goal of 38 yards- 9 points
• Tyler Hanson- Augburg College- 6 for 7 PATs and 1 field goal of 22 yards- 9 points
• Nate Skare- Upper Iowa U- 8 punts on 314 total yards and a 39.3 yard average.  Punted a Long of 47 yards and 2 punts I-20.
• Alexi Johnson- St Johns U- 8 for 8 PATs- 8 points

Congratulations to you all!

Coach Chris Husby

Professional Kicking Coach and Owner

Special Teams Football Academy

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Week 8- Special Teams Players of the Week (2015)

Our Player of the Week posts are designed to recognize the top kicking, punting and long snapping performances of the week in Minnesota at the High School Level.  We will also recognize the top STFA trained collegiate specialists and our 'out of state' athlete performances too.

As the regular football season comes to a close we see a number of familiar names leading their team in the special teams game. The top kickers this week goes to Jack Kneeland of the Academy of Holy Angels and Dean Lumb of Osseo High School.  Both converted 6 PATs and each kicked 1 field goal of 35 yards and 24 yards respectively.  Good luck to you all in the playoffs.

The top punter hails from Breck High School.  Peter Lillehaug had and amazing 41.4 yard average on 8 punts for 331 total yards.

The top STFA trained Collegiate specialist was Nathan Mesher from Wilfrid Laurier University (Canada). He had a busy day kicking 8 for 8 on PATs and going 3 for 3 on field goals of 12, 12 & 37 yards for 17 points.  He also had 3 punts for 116 total yards and a 38.7 yard average and a long 41.

Congrats to all of you.


Top Minnesota High School Specialists 
 

Jack Kneeland

Top Kicker

• Jack Kneeland- Holy Angels- 6 for 6 PATs and 1 field goal of 35 yards- 9 points
• Dean Lumb- Osseo HS- 6 for 6 PATs and 1 field goal of 24 yards- 9 points

Dean Lumb

Honorable Mention

• Mitch Bourgerie- St Michael Albertville HS- 1 for 2 PATs and 2 field goals of 35 & 38 yards- 7 points
• Matt Becker- Rogers HS- 4 for 4 PATs and 1 field goal of 41 yards- 7 points
• Grant Ryerse- East Ridge HS- 4 for 4 PATs and 1 field goal of 25 yards- 7 points

Peter Lillehaug

Top Punter

• Peter Lillehaug- Breck HS- 8 punts for 331 total yards and a 41.4 yard average.

Honorable Mention

• Grant Olson- Woodbury HS- 3 punts for 122 total yards and a 40.7 yard average.
• Luke Harris- Northfield HS- 3 punts for 121 total yards and a 40.3 yard average.
• Mac Brown- St Thomas Academy- 4 punts for 159 total yards and a 39.8 yard average.
• Grant Ryerse- East Ridge HS- 3 punts for 114 total yards and a 38.0 yard average.

Nathan Mesher

Top STFA Collegiate Specialists

• Nathan Mesher- Wilfrid Laurier University (Canada)- 8 for 8 PATs and 3 for 3 on field goals of 12, 12 & 37 yards. Also 3 punts for 116 total yards and a 38.7 yard average and a long 41- 17 points

Honorable Mention

• Brady Beuschel- Upper Iowa U- 7 for 7 punts and 1 field goal of 48 yards.- 10 points
• Brendan Boche- Gustavus- 8 for 8 PATs- 8 points
• Nate Skare- Upper Iowa U- 3 punts for 142 total yards and a 47.3 yard average. Long 64 and 1 punt I-20
• Donnie Mavencamp- U of MN- Morris- 4 punts for 180 total yards and a 45.0 yard average. Long 55 and 2 punts I-20
• Reid Taubenheim- U of North Dakota- 4 for 4 PATs and 1 field goals of 33 yards- 7 points

Congratulations to you all!

Coach Chris Husby

Professional Kicking Coach and Owner

Special Teams Football Academy

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Week 6- Special Teams Players of the Week (2015)

Our Player of the Week posts are designed to recognize the top kicking, punting and long snapping performances of the week in Minnesota at the High School Level.  We will also recognize the top STFA trained collegiate specialists and our 'out of state' athlete performances too.

Our Week 7 Special Teams Prep Athlete of the Week hails from Rosemount High School. Kenny Watkins had a strong game kicking 6 PATs and 1 field goal of 21 yards.  The Top Punter was Breck Punter Peter Lillehaug who kicked 3 punts for 160 total yards and a 53.3 yard average.

There was a big weekend for our STFA trained kickers.  We had 2 Top Kicker performances.   Isaac Aanerud of Bemidji State University kicked 4 field goals on top of 5 PATs accounting for 17 points of his team's points.  Nathan Mesher of Wilfrid Laurie University (Canada) kicked 4 Field Goals of 35, 24, 47 & 42 yards for 12 of the Golden Hawk’s 18 points.

There were a number of big performances for these kickers and punters.  Congratulations to everyone.

Top Minnesota High School Specialists 

Top Kicker

• Kenny Watkins- Rosemount HS- 6 for 7 PATs and 1 field goal of 21 yards- 9 points

Honorable Mention

• Kalvin Danielson- Orono HS- 6 for 7 PATs and 1 field goal of 20 yards- 9 points
• Eddie Ogamba- Cooper HS- 9 for 9 PATs- 9 points
• Johnny Hartfiel- SMB- 5 for 6 PATs and 1 field goal of 37 yards- 8 points
• Tony Ukkelberg- Ottertail Central HS- 6 for 6 PATs and 1 field goal- 8 points
• Garrett Hanson- Centennial HS- 5 for 5 PATs and 1 field goal of 30 yards- 8 points
• Bryce Thompson- Chisago Lakes HS- 2 for 2 PATs and 2 field goals of 39 and 32 yards- 8 points
• Diego Meza-Palmer- Minneota HS- 5 for 5 PATs and 1 field goal of 26 yards- 8 points

Peter Lillehaug

Top Punter

• Peter Lillehaug- Breck HS- 3 punts for 160 total yards and a 53.3 yard average.

Honorable Mention

• Zach Savitz- Hopkins HS- 3 punts for 141 total yards and a 47 yard average.
• Jacob Levahn- Spring Lake Park HS- 3 punts for 136 total yards and a 45.3 yard average.
• Jimmy Larson- Prior Lake HS- 3 punts and 128 total yards and 42.7 yard average.
• Tyler Wurm- Buffalo HS- 3 punts for 127 total yards and a 42.3 yard average.
• Grant Olson- Woodbury HS- 4 punts for 162 total yards and a 40.5 yard average.
• Mitch Jerde- Forest Lake HS- 6 punts and 241 total yards and 40.2 yard average.
• Brandon Sohre- Maple River HS- 4 punts and 160 total yards and 40 yard average.

Nathan Mesher

Top STFA Collegiate Specialists

• Isaac Aanerud- Bemidji State University- 5 for 5 PATs and 4 for 5 Field Goals of 20, 28, 28, and 50 yards.  1 punt of 45 yards. - 17 points
• Nathan Mesher- Wilfrid Laurie University (Canada)- 4 for 4 Field Goals of 35, 24, 47 & 42 yards.  41.1 yard punt average- 12 points

Isaac Aanerud

Honorable Mention

• Brendan Boche- Gustavus U- 8 for 8 PATs and 1 Field Goal of 26 yards. 10 KOs for 537 total yards and a 53.7 yard average and 4 Touchbacks- 11 points
• Andrew O'Reilly- Bethel U- 7 for 8 PATs and 1 Field Goal of 32 yards. 9 KOs for 540 total yards and a 60.0 yard average and 3 Touchbacks.- 10 points
• Donnie Mavencamp- U of MN-Morris- 4 punts for 165 total yards and a 41.3 yard average.  52 yard long and 3 punts I-20.
• Nate Skare- Upper Iowa U- 7 punts for 287 total yards and a 41 yard average. 43 yard long and 2 punts I-20.

Congratulations to you all!

Coach Chris Husby

Professional Kicking Coach and Owner

Special Teams Football Academy

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From Beginner To 'All Canadian' Kicker In 1 Year | The Nathan Mesher Story

From Beginner To 'All Canadian' Kicker In 1 Year | The Nathan Mesher Story

Press Release- Waterloo, Canada

It all started with a winters visit to Maple Grove, Minnesota at the end of 2012. Chris Husby, Professional Kicking Coach of Special Teams Football Academy, was holding a winter training clinic for kickers and snappers in the Minnesota area. 

Coming off a successful soccer season as region champions 'SJAM,' kicker Nathan Mesher of Sir John A McDonald High School, (HC Josh Alexander) had caught attention of university football scouts but was unsure of what his real abilities might be. Nathan contacted Coach Husby and asked if he could come by while home for the holidays (Wisconsin Native) and get some training tips and an assessment of his potential kicking abilities. 

Nathan had never kicked before that season and as an international soccer player was facing decisions as he had been approached by a Canadian university for playing both soccer and now football at the university level. "Chris Husby's training was awesome, and he pointed me in all the right directions. The encouragement was just what I need," Nathan said.

Nathan training with Coach Husby at Winter Clinics.

"We saw Nathan as a natural but untrained talent with a very smooth swing and that 'pop' that can catch your attention," said Husby, "However we were clear that in order to
compete, Nathan needed to start a train regimen and start competing at various evaluation Kicking Camps."

With great instruction and confidence, Nathan returned to Waterloo, Canada and began to train. He started with kicking into kicking nets while awaiting the snow to melt. Once the snow melted, Nathan attend a kicking camp held at the prestigious Queens University. There he hit 45 yard field goals consistently and attracted the head coaches attention. Coach Sheenan told Nathan, "you can kick the football very well, but you need to play football. Go join the summer varsity leagues. You must have more experience to come kick here."

Nathan continued to train, now outside, he was allowed to kick at the Wilford Laurier University on university goal posts to become more precise and accurate. 3 times a week and a bag of balls, Nathan then returned to Special Teams Football Academy but this time it was to attend the NCS Top Tier All American Kicking Camp in St Paul, MN, to Chart, Compete and be Evaluated.

Nathan took top honors winning awards for 'Top All Around Specialist,' 'Top Punting Chart' and 'Top Field Goal Chart.'

Nathan Mesher (right) earned 'Top All Around Specialist'

"It was at this event, based on Coach Husby and his staff's encouragement that I realized that I had what it takes and I needed to get serious about kicking," said Nathan. So training moving forward, now became a bag of balls almost daily vs just a couple days a week.

Nathan soon joined the U19 KW Predators Football Team (HC Kevin Horn) in June and by the end of the season was the top kicker in the league in field goal percentage going 9 for 10. This season was all played in a University Stadium on university regulation uprights. However, according to Coach Shenahn and to be considered for university football, he told Nathan, "you need to play football."

Nathan then signed up for the U23 Canadian Junior Football Leagues KW Predators Team (HC James MacArthur). Nathan had a sensational season shattering team records and winning the Ontario All Star nod for best place kicker as he went 15 for 16 on Field Goals and won both the conference and Canadian league kicking titles.

On Nov 8th, Nathan was award and named to the CJFL "All Canadian Team." An award only given to 'one player per position' in all of Canada. Nathan was named the Top Kicker in Canada!  Read List of 2013 CJFL All Canadian Team recipients. This honor earned him a beautiful commemorative ring.

He was the only high school kicker to ever win this award.

CJFL "All Canadian Team"- Canada's Top Overall Kicker

All this wouldn't have been possible, if it weren't for his amazing soccer coaches who let him do this. "I'd like to personally thank Duncan Wilde and Billy Steele for all of their support during this process," said Nathan.

For Nathan, the kicking season wasn't over yet. Despite playing in 2 football leagues over the summer, he also was one of the captains with the Toronto Lynx, and played 10 games in the US Super Y League (one of the Top Soccer levels in the Nation), where his team, had an undefeated season and ranked #1 in the Midwest. Their team played in the US Finals at IMG in Florida (Over December).

Nathan recently signed to play football with Wilfred Laurier University in Ontario. The University offers one of the Top Business programs in Canada. 

Signing with Wilfred Laurier University in Ontario

Nathan has asked to thank all his family, friends, teammates, kicking coach and team coaches who all help put him in the position the be successful.  

 

"From Special Teams Football Academy to 'All Canadian Team,' The path to 'Best In Class'... thanks for your support Coach Husby," said Nathan Mesher. "Train with a program with a PROVEN track record." 

Congratulations Nathan!

Chris Husby
Professional Kicking Coach and Owner
Special Teams Football Academy 
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