Hunter Kamann kicks the football of adversity through the goalposts of life

…and Hunter Kamann's kick is good!As the public address announcer for the Monroeville Eagles football team, I have enjoyed exclaiming that phrase over the past couple of years for a few reasons. One is that I have gotten to announce it after an Eagles' touchdown sometimes. Another, is that it really rolls off the tongue quite nicely. But the most important reason I like it is that it means success for one of my young personal heroes in my life, Hunter Kamann.As most of you are aware from the front page article in this paper on October 10, Hunter was the recipient of a specially made football helmet made to dramatically reduce the risk of concussions. Through the generosity of Zach Ertz, a tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles, and the VICIS Foundation that Zach's mother Lisa heads, the entire $1,500 cost of the helmet was paid for Hunter.Hunter is an unassuming and as polite a young man as you will ever meet. If you put Hunter into a room painted beige and put him against a wall, you wouldn't notice he was there. That's how well Hunter blends into his surroundings. He's not boastful or proud. He just does his job. Of course, the DNA he has comes from his two fine parents, Jason and Mindy. I knew both of them back in their high school days and announced Jason's name many times as quarterback and placekicker. Mindy was a cheerleader and could probably still do cartwheels down the field! They are amazing parents.I am not one to ever pray for success for any team I've ever followed. Some of you may disagree, but I don't' think God cares who wins or loses any athletic contest. If he did, then Notre Dame would win every game at home with Touchdown Jesus looking on; and I don't think they have. But, I will give a full confession here that in particular this football season, I have prayed that Hunter's extra points do split the uprights. It's not that any of them have been game winners. By Hunter's own admission, he's a capable kicker but has a lot of room for improvement. No, the reason I pray that Hunter's kicks are good, is that it's the only thing he gets to do because of his previous concussions. Imagine going through lifting and conditioning in the off season, the hot, sweaty grind of two-a-days in August, practice during the week and the only thing you get to do is kick extra points. No punts, kickoffs or return team action…just extra points. So is it no wonder, that I prayed Hunter's kicks went through the uprights when that's the only action he gets every game?In case you think kicking an extra point is easy, guess again. It takes a seamless effort on behalf of center, holder and kicker to get that ball through the uprights. Most of the time this season, not all three happened for the Eagles. But when the center, holder and kicker all connected, it was a beautiful sight for my eyes to see that football go through the uprights.This Friday night will be Hunter's last home game at Marsh Field as it is senior night. With apologies to the Plymouth fans ahead of time, please forgive me if I am a little bit louder and hang on to the word "good" a little bit longer than usual should Hunter be successful in kicking an extra point.If he doesn't get the chance or if he does and misses it, it won't change what a hero I think Hunter Kamann is. Hunter's already a winner. With life hiking him the football of adversity, his parents Jason and Mindy making sure that those who want to block his kick don't get to him and Zach Ertz holding the football for him, Hunter has kicked the hell out of that football of adversity right through the uprights. Where it will land is anybody's guess. All I know is that Kamann's kick is good!Hunter KamannStieberThe Kamann family, of Monroeville, has their picture taken with retired Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski (middle) during a fundraising event at his New Jersey country club. From left are: Jason, his son Cole (a seventh-grader at Monroeville Local Schools), Hunter (a senior) and Mindy. "He (Jaworski) actually tweeted this pic," Mindy Kamann wrote on Facebook.Monroeville High School senior Hunter Kamann holds a concussion-reducing Eagles helmet he has worn this entire season. With him is Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz during a kick-off fundraising event held at Ron Jaworski's country club in New Jersey.