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Here's The Kicker! Hughes Could Go Under Center

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Ex-Shark Billy Hughes is a two-time all-conference performer for the Lakeland College Muskies.

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: August 14, 2008

Billy Hughes has spent three years patiently waiting his turn, all the while building up a pretty impressive resume.

The former Nature Coast Technical quarterback is about to begin his senior season at Lakeland College in Sheboygan, Wis., where he has spent the past three years almost exclusively as a kicker.

Those kicking duties have twice earned him All-Illini-Badger Football Conference honors, but a greater calling - make that signal calling - beckons.

When the Muskies, a NCAA Division III team, crank up their preseason practices next week, Hughes will find himself in the mix to take over as the starting quarterback.

"It's a pretty big goal," Hughes said. "Since my freshman year I always wanted to play quarterback. It's my last chance to do it. I've got to give it all I've got."

Prior experience

Hughes estimated that at least six players will contend for the position, but said he is the only senior. He served as a back-up to Brad Wilk last season, completing 3-of-7 passes for 40 yards.

He took the snaps during Nature Coast's inaugural varsity campaign in 2004, completing 56-of-126 passes for 759 yards running the Sharks' option offense. He threw eight touchdowns against six interceptions, and ran for six scores.

Since then, he has worked out with the quarterbacks at Lakeland but never had the opportunity for significant playing time at that position until now.

"It's pretty big for me. I worked hard for it," Hughes said. "I paid my dues. We'll see if it works out well.

"I'd still do the quarterback drills with the quarterbacks. I didn't get much reps. Last year; I was the back-up quarterback. I took more reps in practice and got into a couple of games. It's really just trying to stay with it."

Meanwhile, he has made his mark with his kicking, something he also did at Nature Coast.

As a freshman in 2005, Hughes punted 29 times, totaling 1,036 yards, an average of 35.7 yards per kick. He also kicked off 64 times for 3,436 yards, averaging 53.7. Additionally he connected on 2-of-2 point-after attempts

In 2006 he had 35 punts for 1,292 yards (36.9 average), 38 kickoffs for 2,098 yards (55.2), and hit 3-of-5 field goals and 19-of-23 PATs.

Last season, he booted 47 punts for 1,815 yards (38.6), hit on 1-of-4 field goals and 30-of-37 PATs, and kicked off just three times for 107 yards.

The past two years he has received all-conference second team honors for his punting.

"I'm pretty proud of myself so far for what I've accomplished," Hughes said.

Regardless of how the quarterback competition shakes out, Hughes will retain his kicking job. Under center, though he comes in as the highest returning player on last year's depth chart, nothing has been assured.

"Every year coming into camp every position is an open position," Hughes said. "Whoever works the hardest gets the job. I just really have to work hard, see how bad I really want it."

This may represent his final chance to ever play the quarterback position. He has hopes of playing in Germany once he graduates, but concedes he would likely do so as a kicker.

If his football career comes to a close, he would like to return home and take a job teaching at Nature Coast. He currently majors in fitness studies, but may double major in sports studies.

Meanwhile, Hughes wants to help the Muskies return to the playoffs, where they went his freshman season. He also wouldn't mind another all-conference nod, maybe even at quarterback.

"It's been pretty cool. So far I've got no complaints," Hughes said. "We'll see how this season is."

BY THE NUMBERS: BILLY HUGHES
YR           PUNTS   YRD        AVG
2005        29            1,036       35.7
2006        35            1,292       36.9
2007        47            1,815       38.6
TOTAL  111          4,143       37.3

Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at (352) 544-5288 or cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com.

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