Freshman kicking up fuss

Thursday in a freshman game against San Gorgonio, the prodigy made field goals of 58 and 57 yards.

"I doubt if anyone has ever made field goals of 57 and 58 yards in a freshman game," Upland varsity coach Tim Salter said Friday morning.

Van Ginkel was recently the subject of a feature article in the Wall Street Journal, which flew a reporter to SoCal to watch the freshman kick. He didn't disappoint, making a 44-yarder Sept. 6 in his first high school attempt.

In all, the 15-year-old is 6-for-7 on field goals and 8-for-8 on extra points.

Van Ginkel's father, Pete, is the Upland kicking coach. He also has older brothers who have kicked for the Highlanders.

The 15-year-old also plays quarterback for the freshman team, which lost 21-20 Thursday to San Gorgonio. Salter said the Highlander ninth graders scored a touchdown with 1 1/2 minutes left, but missed the 2-pointer.

Van Ginkel then did an onside kick, which Upland recovered. He completed a pass, but the ball was fumbled, ending Upland's hopes. No doubt the Highlanders were trying to get in position for a game-winning field goal.