Gaster's kick was a yard longer than expected
(Photos by Chuck Merickel via @TVCCsports Twitter)
The kick was from 54 yards.
But it didn't have to be that long.
When TVCC's Jake Gaster ran out into the lengthening shadows of Bruce Field for a potential game-winning field goal against Cisco Saturday, he consciously lined up a yard deeper than normal.
"They were an excellent team at rushing on special teams as you can see with their punt rush," the freshman kicker said, "so I wanted to give my team an extra second to get the snap and hold as perfect as possible."
It was a prudent move considering Cisco had already blocked two punts on the afternoon and a look at the film shows how close one of the Wranglers came to getting a third. But Gaster's final kick cleared the line of scrimmage and split the uprights; TVCC 34 - Cisco 31.
Gaster didn't tell anyone he was making the adjustment.
"I didn’t discuss it with them during the game because we were focused on getting down there to even have a chance to kick," he said, "but I have talked with my special teams coach about doing it in a situation like that to give me some extra time and power."
Gaster said he had full faith in the offense on the final drive.
"I was just hoping to get the opportunity to help win the game for us," he said. "When I looked up and saw the ball go overtop the crossbar everything went quiet for a split second and then excitement rushed over me seeing my team run out there to celebrate! It was an amazing moment and I’m so glad I was able to be a part of it."
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