Confidence and a clear mind keys for Dixon

Published 12:04 am Friday, September 7, 2018

In most walks of the life, the difference between very good and the best is the difference in confidence levels.

In sports it’s the same way, maybe even more so, when the difference between winning and losing is often measured in inches. The mental approach an athlete has on the field is often the key ingredient, and for Christian Heritage School’s junior kicker Joe Dixon, the confidence on the field is second nature.

“I love being in charge,” Dixon said. “Not in a cocky or bossy way, I just trust myself more than other people sometimes.”

When a football team works all game to put itself in a position to win, waiting on the outcome to be decided on a single kick can be nerve-wracking, to put it mildly. Having a kicker with confidence is something most coaches couldn’t put a price on.

“The best thing about Joe is he doesn’t mind the spotlight,” Christian Heritage head coach Jay Poag said. “He wants to go out there and kick the game-winner.”

That’s exactly what Dixon did in Christian Heritage’s final game against King’s Ridge Christian School last season. With the score tied at 27 in the waning moments of the game, Dixon nailed the game-winning field goal on the last play. He wasn’t afraid of the opportunity, and when the Lions had a botched snap on the previous play, Dixon wondered if Poag would leave the kicking unit on the field.

“I was livid, when we had that bad snap,” Dixon said. “I thought coach Poag was going to run the offense back out there, but he told me to stay out there and kick it. I just went out there and kicked it like it was a normal field goal.”

Dixon said he gets more nervous waiting on the sideline than he does once he’s out on the field. He’s been working on gaining distance on his kicks, despite winning both the distance and accuracy contests at a Ray Guy kicking camp last summer. He finished last season 10-13 on field goals and 15-15 on extra points, but still has a chip on his shoulder from being named second team All-Region behind Trion High School’s Elder Morales.

Naturally, Dixon also plays soccer, and although he says soccer is his first love he would prefer to play football in college if the opportunity presents itself. His favorite college football team is Alabama and says he admires the hard-working values of coach Nick Saban. Dixon also isn’t selling his goals short.

“Alabama has always been my dream school,” Dixon said. “I saw their kicker couldn’t really hit anything last year, and since I’ve always liked them I thought I might as well dream.”

So far this season, both Dixon and Christian Heritage are a perfect 2-for-2, Dixon with his field goal attempts, and The Lions with victories. It has been a great start for the Lions and something that Dixon doesn’t want to overthink. When asked about his mental approach before going out for a game-winner or any other kick his answer was succinct.

“What do I think about? Nothing. Absolutely nothing,” Dixon said.