[09/23/02]When St. Aloysius kicker Cass Dodgen tees the ball up on Friday nights, a confident buzz ripples through the crowd.

It has nothing to do with the anticipation of a St. Al victory, or the positive momentum of a touchdown. It’s from what’s about to happen next, as fans turn toward each other with a knowing look and say, “watch this.”

Dodgen, a senior transfer from Chamberlain-Hunt Academy in Port Gibson, has been St. Al’s biggest secret weapon this season. He’s made a habit out of pinning opponents deep in their own end with booming kickoffs and brought a newfound confidence to the kicking game by converting 20 of 21 extra points.

“One of the thorns in our side in the four years I’ve coached here has been kicking extra points and field goals, and he can do it without hesitation. An extra point is not a problem for him,” St. Al coach Jim Taylor said. “It’s quite refreshing to have somebody who’s going to kick the ball in the end zone every third time.”

Many of Dodgen’s extra points he has yet to attempt a field goal in a game sail 20 or 30 yards beyond the goalposts, over the concession stand at Balzli Field and onto Grove Street, or into the trees at the other end of the field.

“I’m not really trying, but it is pretty cool when it does that. I’m just trying to make good contact,” Dodgen said.

His kickoffs usually don’t go that far, but they’re close. Dodgen has recorded six touchbacks in St. Al’s first four games, including three in Friday night’s 49-6 win over Stringer.

That has helped Dodgen make some new friends with St. Al’s kick coverage teams, he joked.

“I would guess they’re really happy because they don’t have to chase anybody,” he said with a laugh.

Dodgen, however, enjoys the chase. Unlike some kickers who hang back after the kick and play a safety-type position, Dodgen runs up the field after kicking because of the momentum he has built up.

He often draws a double-team block from opposing return teams, yet still finds a way to be involved in the play. At worst, the double-team draws a blocker away from another St. Al player and allows the Flashes to thwart a potential return.

“If they form a wall and I can take out two or three guys, that’s opening it up for my teammates,” Dodgen said. “I don’t mind hitting people. If they want to line up, they’d better stand firm because I’m coming hard.”

Dodgen is no stranger to contact. He plays defensive end for the Flashes and had 14 tackles heading into Friday’s game. Last season, at Chamberlain-Hunt, he had 97 tackles 43 of them solos and three sacks.

In 2000, he ranked second on the Wildcats with 62 solo tackles and assisted on 36 more. Eight of those tackles were for loss.

“He’s a player. He’s not just a kicker, he’s a player,” Taylor said.

Dodgen is more at home with a kicking tee rather than teeing off, however.

He started kicking after practice one day at Chamberlain-Hunt because “it looked fun.” Within two weeks, he took over the team’s kicking duties.

His father, former St. Al and current Alcorn State tennis coach Tony Dodgen, helped foster his son’s ability by arranging lessons with former Alcorn kicker Ed Cicoria.

The pointers Cicoria gave him added extra height and another 5-10 yards to his kickoffs, Cass Dodgen said.

“I couldn’t have done it without (Cicoria). He was the first one who really showed me the right way to kick,” Dodgen said.

When Dodgen showed up at St. Al’s practice this summer, he had to prove himself again to Taylor.

It didn’t take long.

“I knew he was supposed to be a kicker, but you take all of that with a grain of salt until you see somebody perform,” Taylor said. “As soon as he went out there and kicked, it was obvious he had the leg for it.”

He also has an appetite for it. As much fun as playing defense and hitting people is, Dodgen said he could live without playing another down at defensive end.

“I enjoy kicking. I like playing defensive end, but if Coach said I don’t need you there anymore, just kick,’ that would suit me fine,” Dodgen said.

Dodgen just hopes he’s kicking this time next year, in college.

“I’d like to, a lot. I’m not getting any letters, but if I keep working and don’t choke, I might,” he said. “As long as I keep practicing, I think I can kick somewhere.”