HOWARD — Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson — Watch out!
The newest young phenom is heading to Cleveland Browns Stadium on Nov. 30 along with a group of equally talented youngsters.
Howard resident Ethan Beckett won a spot in state finals of the 2008 Pepsi NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition in the 8- to 9-year-old division. PPK, launched in 1961, is the oldest NFL youth program.
Ethan was the top 8- to 9-year-old placer in the PPK Sectional competition in McConnelsville this past Oct. 18. Now, he will get a chance, with the rest of the top five finishers from a pool of sectionals in each youth age group, to showcase his talent on Sunday before the Browns square off with the visiting Indianapolis Colts.
“I feel really excited,” said 8-year-old Ethan, “I’ve never been to an NFL game.”
“Oh, he’s super-excited,” said his father, Casey Beckett, who is also president of the Howard Youth League, “He didn’t get a chance to play football this year, so we thought Pass, Punt and Kick would be a good opportunity to get out there and get involved in football. He didn’t make the age requirement for the youth league this year. He can’t play until he’s 9 here at East Knox.”
Ethan’s road to Cleveland started back in August, when he entered the local PPK.
“The YMCA sent letters out looking for kids to join,” said the elder Beckett. “We joined up and we practiced a little bit. They set it up for late August and we went down to Mount Vernon High School, alongside the football stadium.”
The competitor’s scores are based on distance and accuracy. The passes are measured for distance thrown along a straight line, which is a measuring tape. Accuracy is counted by subtracting the distance the ball lands to the left or right of the line, from the distance of the throw. Punts and kicks are measured the same way. The total footage of all three constitute the competitor’s final score. Ethan, who was the last youngster in his age group to compete, got the top score of 135 feet.
Then, it was on to McConnelsville for Ethan. He improved his numbers, punting 54 feet, passing 73 feet, 2 inches, and kicking 45 feet, 10 inches for a total of 173 feet.
“He squeaked it out and he’s getting better,” said Casey. “Once he got that, he became part of the Cleveland Browns Punt, Pass and Kick program. Of course, there’s 32 teams throughout the NFL, so every team will have its own winner in each age group. We’ve definitely been practicing, but the weather hasn’t been cooperating lately. We get out about once or twice a week at least. Getting in a half-hour is good — at least for his age.”
“I’ve been practicing a lot,” said Ethan. “I did pretty good. My favorite part is passing.”
The competition takes place prior to the actual game. A passing exhibition will take place either during pregame or halftime. Of course, for the Becketts, it will be a family affair. They will be heading up to Cleveland on Saturday to get prepared.
“They will have the actual competition at the Browns’ indoor practice facility,” said Casey, “It will probably last about two hours to get through all the contestants. After that, they’ll also get an opportunity to meet the players at the practice facility.”
For Ethan, it’s a chance to meet his favorite player.
“Brady Quinn — I want to play quarterback,” said Ethan, who is a lifelong Browns fan.
“We have the competition before the game,” said Ethan, “Then we get to go on the field and they’ll let us throw a ball at halftime. ”
The day’s festivities will include attending the Brown’s game that day.
“They give us free tickets for my wife, Tracy and I, “said Casey, “We get meal tickets and a nice spot to watch the game. At halftime, they will bring all of the kids that competed on to the field and they will get an opportunity to throw the football. Their names will be announced and where they’re from. He’s been totally pumped for that because he will get to stand on the field and be around the players. They give them a jersey, a ball cap and sweatpants. They’ll get to see the locker room and I am sure they’ll get a tour.”
What about Mom and Dad?
“Parents aren’t allowed on the field,” added Casey. “They said that we can get as close as we can to take pictures.”
This will be a day for the Becketts to savor for years to come.
“I’ve only been to one NFL game and my son has never been, nor has my wife or my daughter,” said Casey. “His grandparents are going, as well.”
The top four scorers from all first-place finalists in each of four age division for boys and girls will advance to the National Finals. These 32 winners, plus two parents or guardians, travel to the finals at an NFL playoff game in January but, whatever happens in Cleveland, Ethan wants to do PPK again next year.
“The older he gets, the more he will practice,” said Casey. “”He’ll also be in youth football next year.”
Ethan, who has been practicing over at Kenyon College, has simple advice for anyone who dreams of competing in PPK.
“Just do your best,” said Ethan. “Don’t give up.”
