NORTH AUGUSTA – Mikey Charlton is no ordinary kicker.

You won’t find him banished to the far corners of the football practice field banging away at the pigskin for hours on end, and you won’t find him on the end of the bench during crucial goal-line stands or on have-to-have-it third-down plays either.

That’s because one could make a case that Charlton, a senior, might possibly be the most indispensible member of a history-making Fox Creek High School football team – which is quite a statement on a squad that boasts one of the area’s best athletes in (near) 2,000-yard rusher Marty Williams.

In fact, a much better description of his skills might be that of a driven, hard-nosed, multi-talented athlete who just so happens to also kick. The proof is in the number of positions Charlton has played this season. When the Predators coaching staff has needed a position filled, Charlton’s name is most often the first (and only) one to be called.

Move from wide receiver to tight end?

How about linebacker to cornerback?

What about doing it all in the same game?

No problem.

It’s a luxury that head coach Russ Schneider has enjoyed during a euphoric 8-3 season.

“Mikey is the best utility guy I’ve ever coached because he plays tight end and linebacker (one week), then this week a corner goes down so we need him at corner,” he said. “Now we need him at free safety because Marty is tired. Then on offense the running back gets a cramp so we need him at tailback.

“He’s played more positions on this team than anyone we have and the thing is he remembers most (of the responsibilities). We’ve made it tough on him and it’s a lot to ask of him. But just like some of the coaches and I were talking about the other day, we’re really going to miss Mikey because that’s the guy we can plug in anywhere and he can get it done.”

Charlton says it’s just about paying attention – except for that kicking part, of course.

‘It’s just listening and paying attention to the coaches,” he said. “If you listen you can get it and if you’re in la-la land you won’t. But it’s my first year kicking and I had no idea coming in (to the season) that I would be doing something like that. They asked who could kick and I said I’d give it a try.”

Turning the corner

Schneider credits seniors like Charlton with staying the course and sticking it out when the going was much tougher and the wins were few and far between. At this point in each of the past five years the focus would already be on hoops and vertical jumps.

This year it’s still on football.

“Years ago we didn’t understand the game, but now we understand the game and the strategy,” Schneider said. “Five years ago I wanted (to win) right then. But I’ve had to learn more in the last five years than in the (total) 17 years I’ve been coaching and it’s that it doesn’t come quick. You put in your principles and beliefs and it takes time.

Kids like Mikey have been here through the tough times, hearing that they don’t play good football and all that and now they can leave knowing they were that group that turned things around. I think that’s the most exciting thing to me. It’s about them.”

Charlton says he and the other seniors are proud to have left their own mark at the school.

“This is the time of your life that you’ll never forget,” he said. “It’s a year where I get to tell my kids someday that not only did I play every year, but that we went through the two wins a year and all that and the last year we stepped it up.”

Lessons of Freeport, PA

Schneider knows that his kicker’s size won’t strike fear into the heart of the opponents when the Predators travel to face top-seeded Christ Church Friday in the second round of the Class A Division II state playoffs.

But he also knows it would be a mistake for them to take Charlton at face value.

“Mikey is not the biggest guy, and he hasn’t grown a lot since he’s been here, but he sure is tough,” Schneider said. “He’s as tough as they come and I’ve never seen him back down from anyone. He plays it to the whistle and if anything we may have to pull him back sometimes.”

Charlton says his intense play can be traced all the way back to Freeport High School in Pennsylvania, where his dad, Mike Charlton, played his prep ball. A young Mikey caught onto football at a young age and he’s soaked in everything dad has had to say since.

“I’d say it definitely starts with him,” he says. “He gets me hyped and makes me want to be like he used to be – a big guy on the (defensive) line. That’s not what I play, but I would if I could and if they put me there I’d try my hardest and I’d get ‘em.”

It’s one of the few positions he hasn’t played for the Predators – yet.

And what about a potential game-winning field goal try?

“Most people don’t think too much of kickers, but if you make it it could be a win and if you don’t it could be a loss so I think it’s an important role,” he said. “I could probably get a 25-yarder, something like that. Let’s just hope there is a breeze blowing.”