Frank Serio, the Planters Bank Player of the Week, was just seven years old when the thought of being a field goal kicker first struck him.
Serio, now a high school senior, was attending a Fighting Irish football camp back then. St. Joseph coach John Baker was letting all the kids attempt extra points. None of them were able to make it before Serio drove the ball through the uprights.
“I still have fond memories of that day,” Serio said. “It was awesome to be that young and to be able to kick a field goal.”
After his big kick, Serio spent his next few years concentrating on soccer. He was gifted athlete and always one of the best players on his soccer teams.
Serio got the itch, once again, to try field goal kicking his sophomore year at St. Joseph. His talent was immediately recognized by his coaches who made him their starting kicker.
Serio’s impact was sudden. In the Irish’s state championship victory over Indianola Academy, Serio kicked three straight successful onside kicks in the first half of the game. The Irish, then, scored 21 straight points off those recoveries to all but put the game away.
“Frank is the best kicker who has come through here in a while,” St. Joe coach John Baker said. “He has put in a lot of work and he gotten better every year.
“He’s also a good athlete. He could play receiver, and he could play defensive back. He just hasn’t had to yet.”
This season, as a senior, Serio is having his best year yet. Last Friday night in the Irish’s 30-2 victory over North Delta, Serio connected on a 44-yard field goal. It was his second field goal of more than 40 yards this season.
“It takes a lot of practice to make field goals,” Serio said. “Nobody thinks about special teams at most places, but we do and that is what makes us different. All of us a are brothers. We are all together. We have all grown up together, and we are living a dream right now. Hopefully, we can win a state championship.”
Serio and his Irish (4-1)teammates will have another opportunity to highlight their skills when they travel to Winston Academy (4-2). The Irish can clinch the District 2-4A championship with a victory on Friday, since St. Joseph has already defeated both Indianola Academy and Carroll Academy, the other two teams in the district, earlier this season.
Friday’s game between Winston and St. Joseph will be the first ever meeting between the two schools.
“Winston can do everything well,” Coach Baker said. “They have a great offensive line, and a great tailback in Omar Scott.”
