Grapevine kicker praises team, coaches for recent success

By Greg Bogomol

Special to the Star-Telegram

As a sophomore place-kicker on the junior varsity team, Nick Grau quietly waited his turn behind Alex Mueller -- who went on to attend Kansas.

Now, two years later Grau has his sights set on going to a Division I college himself. In last week's loss to Hurst L.D. Bell, the 6-feet-1, 195-pound senior booted three field goals - 45 and 33 yards - and a career-best 52-yarder.

"I felt confident going out there and kicking from 52 yards," Grau said. "That's within my range and the only field goal I did miss this year was from the same distance against Fossil Ridge. I just wanted to redeem myself."

Grau, who made 8 of 12 a year ago, has made six of seven this season.

"This is my second year on varsity and I feel a lot more confident than I did last year," said Grau, a first team all-district selection in 2011. "Being selected first team along with the kicker at Trinity gave me a confidence booster and I came out determined to be better that I was last year."

The three field goals in a game was a career best. Grau credits the two people that have been working with him both inside and outside of school.

"I've been working on my technique and trying to make sure I get it all right," Grau said. "Scott Blanton, my private kicking coach who has sent multiple kickers to Division I schools, and our new kicking coach, [Ryan Davis] have really helped me in my flexibility."

Grau knows his job is to make the kicks to get his team back in the game and recharge the team, but knows it wouldn't be possible without the help of a couple of his teammates.

"All that I do wouldn't be possible without my blockers, deep snapper Christian Robertson and my holder Adam Sandy," Grau said. "I have the confidence of the team and that the coaches put in me. It's me job to go out there and show them what I can do."

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