El Dorado kicker shows off leg strength in practice

El Dorado senior Dave Carruth said back in the Spring that his goal was to build himself into a college-caliber kicker. He worked on his craft during the COVID-19 quarantine and, two weeks ago, attended the Kohl's Kicking Camp in Nashville, Tennessee.

On Thursday, Carruth boomed a 51-yard field goal during the Wildcats’ practice.

“He’d just missed from 54, was a little short,” said El Dorado coach Steven Jones. “But the one he made would’ve been good from 60. I mean, he boomed that thing. He’s got the leg.”

Carruth served as the team’s punter last year but will add place kicking and kickoff duties this season.

“After high school I hope that I will be blessed to play at the collegiate level,” Carruth said earlier in the Spring. “Some may think this sounds far-fetched since this past season was my first season as a punter, but I've worked hard every day to be at the place I am now and I'm truly thankful for all the overwhelming support from my family, coaches, teammates, friends, and my community along the way.”

What might have sounded far-fetched a few months ago seems pretty real today.

“He got some really good feedback. Since that camp and through sending out film, he’s receiving some interest from some larger schools,” said Jones. “He’s had some Division I interest. Arkansas has been in touch with him. Arkansas-Monticello has already offered him a scholarship. So, he has a Division II offer and Division I interest. He’s definitely going to kick on Saturdays, somewhere.”

Considering this is still a fairly new skill, Carruth’s best kicks could be yet to come. Jones said he’s already shown amazing improvement in just the past few weeks.

“There’s no doubt. The thing he’s worked the most on, in my opinion, has been place kicking,” he said. “We knew he was a talented punter and could get great hangtime and was a weapon there. But he’s worked really hard this offseason on his field goal kicking. He’s improved his accuracy. He’s starting to get to where we feel he’s going to put it in the end zone on kickoffs.”

El Dorado will open football practice Monday at 10 a.m.

“Every day is a great day to be an El Dorado Wildcat,” Carruth said. “Go Cats.”

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