Kicking is a rather thankless job. You’re expected to make the PATs. You’re expected to make most of the field goals. If you miss, people are upset, and if you make, the reaction is typically (with the exception of game-winners) more of a “that’s what was supposed to happen” in place of “excellent kick!”
One of the exceptions came with weekend when Keelan Anderson of Cheyenne South (Wy.) School stepped onto the field for a historic attempt. He had drilled a field goal of 57 feet just weeks ago, but this was longer. This was for the Wyoming state record.
After two steps and a kick, the ball sailed 61 yards and just through the uprights to break the record that had stood since 1982, according to Matt Atencio of WyoSports.
Keelen Anderson drills it for. 61(!) yards out!!! That’s a Wyoming state record pic.twitter.com/KNOnjnjalz
— Matt Atencio (@MattAtencio5) September 23, 2023
On the sideline, the coaches went crazy, without worry that South was now trailing 49-9. Moments of accomplishment deserve celebration and jubilation. Looking beyond the rankings and recruiting, isn’t that what youth football is all about?
To put that the kick perspective, the ball sailed 183 feet to reach its destination. Only 14 times in NFL history has there been a longer field goal, and nine other times has an NFL field goal traveled 61 yards.
MaxPreps put together this excellent guide in 2020 that outlines the longest field goals of each state’s high school history. It is possible that some have become outdated since its publication, but for the sake of perspective, 24 other states had seen a field goal reach 61 yards.
Anderson has a 4.5-star kicker ranking on Kohl’s Kicking, and it’s easy to see why given as he has both tied and broken the Wyoming record in the month of September. Don’t be surprised if more universities start to look into the 5-foot-11, 150-pound kicker.