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Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa's local high school football coverage is powered by The University of Alabama Online, "Where Legends Log In."

Gordo High School has a new member of their football team who is making a quick impression on the team and the community in a game he's never played before.

Gordo went into this week's game against the Hale County ranked number two according to the AHSAA's Class 3A football poll, being one of the teams favored to win the 3A State Championship this year. Gordo, however, faced a slight problem.

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During last week's matchup against the Fayette County Tigers, senior wide receiver and kicker, Caleb Jennings, broke his leg, leaving the team without a kicker. Coach Gus Smith found himself desperate to find a replacement as the team prepares for the playoffs.

Smith, a physical education coach, began searching throughout the team to find a replacement, but had no luck. He then looked to groups of students from his PE classes when he found the perfect fit: an 8th grade soccer player, Jordy Gomez.

Gomez, an avid soccer player described by Smith as "one of the best kickers," had never played or touched a football before. Smith tried him out during a series of drills and saw he had the potential to be great.

"We needed him so I checked his grades," Smith said. "We had to get consent forms and we also contacted his parents who we had to translate to in order to get consent."

During the Thursday night matchup between the Green Wave and the Wildcats, Gomez kicked 1 for 1 in field goals at 27 yards, earring 3 points for the Green Wave. He later kicked a 1 for 1 for an extra point, scoring 4 points for the game, with the Green Wave winning 39-0 over the Wildcats.

Smith said the moment was special for Gomez and his family, who has never been to a football game before. He said everyone rallied around Gomez and supported him for the momentous occasion.

"It was good," Smith said. "Our kids went crazy. Last week, no one even knew who he was. They were giving him high-fives and cheering him on. He was really happy."

Smith said he hopes this will allow other Hispanic students the opportunity to play football, which statistically, he said, does not have many players. He hopes this will expand the demographic for their team and the game of football.

The Green Wave will take on Ohatchee at home on November 4.

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Hale County vs Gordo 10_27_2022

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