KASSON — Neither Lars Ingram nor Miguel Martinez ever thought much of kicking a football growing up.
The soccer pitch was always the place to be for the now Kasson-Mantorville/Triton/Hayfield boys soccer standouts.
Ingram always had a home in goal, while Martinez was a quick and light attacking player, smooth on his feet in addition to having played between the pipes. And both had strong legs to boot.
The latter, though, is what got the attention of their respective schools’ football coaches.
Ingram — a now senior at K-M — and Martinez — a junior at Triton — were approached before last football season about the possibility of pulling double duty.
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For Ingram, it was a whole new experience.
“I had never kicked a football before,” said Ingram, who scored a goal from well inside his own defensive third last year.
It was a bit of a different story for Martinez.
Kicking field goals has become sort of a Martinez family legacy as his two older brothers both played soccer and kicked field goals for the Cobras during their prep career. Yet, Martinez didn’t fully embrace it until last season. But like Ingram, he preferred soccer.
Kicking a football is much different than kicking a soccer ball. The difference in shapes leads to a smaller sweet spot on a football. And, in football, the kicker has more things to worry about than in soccer.
“Yeah it’s different when you have the big 300-pounders coming at you,” Martinez said with a laugh.
Both felt the opportunity was too good to pass up. So far, it seems to be a perfect match.
Ingram, a two-time All-Hiawatha Valley League soccer goalkeeper, has drilled six field goals in his football career and is 11-for-13 on point after attempts. His average punt is eight yards better than K-M’s opponents and his kickoffs consistently give the KoMets an advantage.
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“Lars has been a tremendous asset to our program,” K-M football coach Joel Swanson said. “His willingness to ‘double up’ and play football, as well as soccer, allows us to gain an advantage with field position on our special teams. When we face a tough fourth down situation inside our opponents 20-yard line we know we can go to Lars to get us some points.”
That’s something Triton has discovered as well with Martinez, who has made 5 of 6 PATs this year.
“Soccer is Miguel’s passion, we are fortunate he enjoys football as well, because when we have him on our team he really is a weapon,” Triton football coach Brandon Neseth said. “Miguel not only kicks PAT and field goals at a high percentage, but he can place kickoffs, so we can avoid the other team’s best returners.”
Alex VandenHouten / Post Bulletin
Perhaps what’s most impressive is Ingram’s and Martinez’s ability to excel at both. Ingram is regarded as one of the best keepers around and is starting to gain that reputation as a kicker as well. Martinez is having a terrific season, leading the KoMets in goals.
“These aren’t just guys who kind of did both because they’re middle of the pack in different areas or have a certain skill. They’re very talented players who have had to manage a lot in their schedule,” K-M/T/H soccer coach Shawn Bromelkamp said. “(They) go from soccer practice straight to football practice, or football practice and drive separate to a soccer game. And it’s it’s cool that they get to show those skills off in multiple areas, but they’re very good at what they do.”
It makes for some long days.
Wednesday, both were on the Kasson turf for soccer practice after school. When that ended, Ingram walked over to the football practice to make the end of it, while Martinez was going to try to make it to practice for Triton. That happens two or three times a week.
“From a practice standpoint, it’s been a lot of work,” Ingram said. “But the coaches are willing to make it work with each other. They give me enough rest, where I’m not injuring myself. The biggest difficulty is just organizing it all and getting it together. But everyone is willing to make it work.”
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On Thursday, the KoMets were able to move their soccer game up to 5 p.m. so Martinez could play in Triton’s 7 p.m. football game against Chatfield. On Friday, Sept. 15, Martinez attended a KoMets soccer fundraiser, before driving himself to Caledonia for the 7 p.m. Triton football game.
“We’ve been playing three games a week, so obviously it’s a lot harder,” Martinez said. “But the day before a game I’ll try to get as many carbs and pasta. And then I’ll take a nice long ice bath. All the coaches make sure I get the rest I need.”
In the end, Ingram and Martinez agreed it’s well worth it.
“Just getting to know more guys,” Ingram said, “and building that bridge between soccer and football.”
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