Football: Henninger sets sights on kicking in college

They may only see the field a few times a game; in high school, even less. But the kicker shares this in common with their teammates and other athletes: A strong mentality coupled with a short memory serves them well.

“I’ve worked with hundreds of kickers,” says Sequim High special teams coach Cody Buckmaster, looking across the table at the lean, lanky high school senior Jack Henninger.

“He’s one of the most mentally strong players I’ve worked with,” Buckmaster says.

Henninger, all of 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, is looking to get a leg up — figuratively and literally — on other placekickers as he climbs the ranks in his prep football specialty.

Already with the school record for field goal distance (a 40-yarder against Bainbridge on Sept. 14), Henninger regularly knocks through 40- and 50-yarders in practice, and in games consistently pins opponents to the 20-yard-line with touch-backs.

Henninger also took part in a prestigious Chris Sailer Kicking camp in Shoreline on Oct. 1, where Buckmaster noted Henninger beat out a pair of top-12 nationally ranked kickers in a competition.

The organization’s website notes: “Jack is a talented high school kicking prospect. He is tall, strong and athletic. A bit raw, but there is great potential there. Jack does a nice job on the field goal. He gets the ball up well and has 50+ yard range. Jack is ready to move to the ground. His kickoffs are solid and will only continue to improve. I look forward to seeing his development from 1 to camp 2. Look for Jack to do very well at Vegas XLIII in January. he is a pleasure to work with. One to watch. Nice prospect.”

The 18-year-old is eyeing a kicking showcase in Las Vegas, Nev., in mid-January, when he’ll hope to get on some college scouts’ radars with his deep, booming kicks.

Finding football

Henninger’s football origin story is, not surprisingly, rooted in soccer. A participant in the so-called “beautiful game” since a mere tot, Henninger recalls connecting with some Sequim High football players after soccer teammate Brandon Wagner made the transition (Wagner was named an all-Olympic League kicker and punter his senior season).

While Henninger says he was familiar with the sport, “the only high school football games I’ve been to were ones I’ve played in.”

The Sequim teen had all the make-up of a solid kicker from the get-go, Buckmaster says. Good work ethic, dedication, strong. And it doesn’t hurt to be 6-4.

“You can’t coach height,” Buckmaster says. “[But] his work ethic is insane.”

That carries over to the classroom too, notes his mom, Ann Marie. A Phi Theta Kappa Running Start student, Henninger maintains a grade-point average over 3.80 with a full course load that has him likely able to pair academic scholarships with athletic ones.

As for college of choice, Henninger has a few in mind: in particular, NAIA powerhouse Carroll College. But several others are on his radar, from the University of Mary and Benedictine College to Central Washington and others.

What a college can offer to help his studies — Henninger is considering exercise science and career paths such as physical or occupational therapy, but is also interested in oceanography — is important, but if he’s to play football Henninger says he wants to be part of a program that values the kicking game.

Also, he admits, “I don’t want to be too far away.”

Game prep

While some kickers have other roles on the team, Henninger keeps to field goals, points-after-touchdowns and kickoffs, which is just fine for him. He does most of his conditioning away from the team.

“I want to focus on my craft,” Henninger says.

“I don’t have to prep for a specific opponent, so I don’t have to scout [the other team].”

On Mondays, Henninger does a heavy leg day using shinguard-like devices that add 6 pounds each. Tuesdays are field goal charting, with a light day on Wednesday. Thursday is special teams day, and Friday is game day.

Buckmaster says the two study film from week to week, pinpointing any bit of motion that need correcting or emphasis.

The goal, the Sequim coach says, is to get better each week.

That said, Buckmaster notes, “His form is collegiate ready right now.”

Eagle Scout in the making

“It all comes back to soccer,” Henninger says, laughing.

The Sequim teen recalls getting into BSA (formerly Boy Scouts of America) through Storm King soccer friends Sam Stewart and Solas McGruther. While an early bloomer physically, Henninger joined scouts rather late, in 2019.

“Definitely the camaraderie and the competition,” he says, when asked what he likes about scouts.

It’s the kind of competition, he says, that drives himself and others to be better, to do better.

He and others from his troop were particularly driven: Henninger notes four of his seven troop mates are either Eagle Scouts are vying for the rank.

For his Eagle Scout project, Henninger organized a large cleaning and refurbishing of the parking lot at the Shipley Center.

“They were really accommodating,” Henninger says of the nonprofit.

Henninger earned his Eagle Scout officially on Monday, Oct. 16.

Henninger’s parents, says Ann Marie, are proud he’s willing to try something new.

The strong work ethic, Henninger says, likely came from his family, competing with strong siblings along with parents who encouraged him to work. By age 10, he recalls, he was working for neighbors for pocket money.

Now, he’s just money on the field.

“He’s going to kick somewhere next season; that’s a given, Buckmaster says.

“Jacks don’t come around very often.”

Photo courtesy of Henninger family / Jack Henninger takes part in a Chris Sailer Kicking camp on Oct. 1 in Shoreline.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Cody Buckmaster, Sequim High football special teams coach (right), talks with Jack Henninger during an Oct. 13 league match-up with North Mason.