Kicking System Blog

EXTRA POINT FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL EVENT
 Proceeds from Kicking Camp Benefit Rady Children’s Hospital 

SAN DIEGO, July 1st, 2007—The Kicking System, which provides kicking instruction to football place-kickers and punters, announced today that its Extra Point Foundation will hold its first fund-raising event on Sunday, August 5, a kicking camp for children ages 10 and above. All proceeds will benefit Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego.

John Matich, owner of The Kicking System and kicker for the National Indoor Football League’s San Diego Shockwave, believes in giving back to the community. He formed the Extra Point Foundation to have a tangible way to support one of the top 25 children’s hospitals in the country (as selected by Child Magazine), which happens to be in his hometown of San Diego.

“I grew up here, so I’ve had the opportunity to meet a lot of people who work hard to help others who are less fortunate,” Matich said. “I’ve been acquainted with the director of the children’s hospital for some time, so I know it’s always in need of donations, so I’m happy to help through the Extra Point Foundation.”

The camp will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mira Mesa High School and costs just $30 per student. Since it will focus on instruction and competition, it’s a perfect way to introduce youngsters to the science of kicking. Register online at extrapointfoundation.com by August 1 to guarantee a spot.

In addition to Matich, several players from the Shockwave, a main event sponsor, will be present, and Matich hopes to have some San Diego Chargers players there as well. Chipolte and Wizard Sports, two other sponsors, will donate food and equipment, respectively.

About The Kicking System/Extra Point Foundation
The Kicking System offers kicking instruction via personal and group sessions as well as camps. Instruction includes cutting-edge coaching techniques, a year-round strength and conditioning program, and a valid kicking resource combined with specific strength training for kicking that inspires students to take their game to the next level. The Extra Point Foundation is a non-profit entity started by The Kicking System to provide monetary support to Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego via various fund-raising events. For more information, visit kickingsystem.com or extrapointfoundation.com.

To register click on www.extrapointfoundation.org

Saturday June 30th  SD Shockwave vs. San Bernardino Bucking Bulls 

  JOHN “AUTO” MATICH

Defensive back Kevin Burton guaranteed it. Coach Montra Edwards was impressed by it. And the San Diego Shockwave pulled it off, a very rare indoor football game shutout, defeating the San Bernardino Bucking Bulls56 - 0 in the regular season finale for both NIFL football teams. The game, played before 2,987 raucous fans at Cox Arena was significant, because it was the first shutout in San Diego indoor football history. Burton, who had two interceptions, one for a touchdown that was called back because of a penalty, has always confidently stated, “if they play me, the other team won’t score on me.” He was right. So were his teammates in scoring 56 points for the second time against the Bucking Bulls this season. The only difference: in the first game in San Bernardino, the Bulls scored 15 points.

For the second consecutive week, the Shockwave’s dominating defense had multiple stops in one game, in and of itself a not too common occurrence in the NIFL or indoor football in general. Defensive Coordinator Montra Edwards who wasn’t happy with his defense’s effort in last week’s 33 - 24 victory over the Tri-Valley Ranchers, was thoroughly pleased this week. Said Edwards, “after last week’s game we went back to the basics, the fundamentals, just as we did in camp. We worked hard tonight and I’m very proud of their effort.” The shutout, however, was in question late. With the game already decided and the Bulls driving, defensive back Shedrick Harris stepped up to recover a fumble at the Shockwave 3 yard line with 3:30 left in the 4th quarter preserving the shutout and punctuating the victory. “That was a big-time play,” added Edwards, about his defense’s play to force and recover the fumble. “They stepped up at critical points in the game and this was one of them.” Like the San Diego heat, Edwards’ defense was stifling, givingup only 55 yards of total offense. It broke down to 56 yards passing and a negative 1 yard rushing. Harris had another fumble recovery at the 9 minute mark of the third quarter, returning it 23 yards for the defense’s only touchdown of the game.

The Shockwave’s had balanced scoring all night, scoring 28 points in each half. The game was really never in question. After one of the defense’s many stops early in the game, Matt Pound connected with wide receiver Chris Pittman for the second consecutive week on a 25 yard pass opening scoring at the 10:43 mark of the first quarter. Ty Evans added three more first half touchdowns and John “Auto” Matich was perfect on PAT’s to seal the victory early.

Late in the third quarter, backup quarterback Ben Bowling came in and literally took it to the streets. To wide receiver A.J. Streets that is, connecting on two second half scores of 12 yards and 26 yards respectively. In fact, Bowling’s first pass as a Shockwave resulted in a score to Streets. Defensive lineman Andre Reed had two sacks and newly acquired defensive back Eric Bingham had some crushing hits to help lead the defense. But former Aztec Kevin Burton set the tone, making the most of his playing time. “KB (Kevin Burton) came up big tonight. He hasn’t had a lot of playing time this year, but he hung in there, kept working hard, never complained and always was ready - a true team player,” said Edwards. “He made some big plays for us tonight.” Now, the first-place, top-seeded Pacific Conference Shockwave await perhaps their most difficult opponent, the NIFL’s dysfunction and the many teams not relishing the opportunity to play them. “We match-up well against anyone and don’t care who we play in the playoffs. We’re shooting for the championship,” added Edwards.