The Friday night lights were shining bright on the Mississippi Gulf Coast this weekend as star St. Stanislaus kicker Evan Noel made state history.
In a road matchup at nearby Pass Christian High School, Noel found himself in a position to become one of the most storied high school kickers in a state that has produced legends such as Super Bowl winner Stephen Gostowski — and he did just that.
With under two minutes remaining in a 47-7 blowout in which Noel’s squad was getting thrashed, the five-star kicker trotted out onto the field with an opportunity to score a moral and personal victory. From 61 yards out, Noel split the uprights with plenty of leg for an even longer field goal.
Noel’s kick now ranks the longest in Mississippi, surpassing a 59-yarder knocked in by Clarksdale High School’s Lemeko Williams in 1994, and ties the Southeastern Conference record set by Missouri’s Harrison Mevis just one year ago.
The longest-ever recorded field goal at the U.S. high school ranks occurred in 1985 when Dirk Borgognone of Reno, Nevada connected on a 68-yard attempt. As the St. Stanislaus Rock-a-Chaws (2-2) continue their season, Noel may be afforded the chance to surpass the national record.
Noel, a senior, is considered a top-five high school kicker nationally and is committed to Arkansas, though Florida has shown strong interest.
With his recent achievement on the field, it would come as no surprise if Southern Miss led a concerted effort to keep Noel local or if Mississippi State and Ole Miss worked diligently to land the strong-legged athlete.
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