Special teams coach Sean Riley (Trinity Christian School in Cedar Hill, Texas) kicked for the Naval Academy and in the Arena Football League. Two years ago, Riley was desperate for a placekicker for his junior varsity football team when he spotted Christian Honsalek playing for the Tiger soccer team.
All Coach Riley knew about Christian was he worked hard and could boot the soccer ball as an All-District selection. How that might translate to the gridiron, Riley had no idea.“Christian didn’t even know what a football tee was. Didn’t know how to set the ball up on the tee,” explained Coach Riley.
So when the 10th grade soccer star’s first kickoff in practice sailed through the end zone and into the bleachers, Riley was not surprised when Honsalek turned to him and sheepishly asked, “Is that good or bad?” Coach Riley responded, “That’s very good!”

Christian moved up to varsity last season and the junior responded.“We attempted more 45-yard field goals with Christian than we had the previous three seasons combined,” Riley added. “Every kicker I’ve ever worked with has gone on to be All-County or All-State. Christian has that type of deep leg potential.” Christian works with Coach Riley six to 10 hours per week in private mentoring sessions. “His skill level blended with his work ethic is a strong combination," Riley said. "He wants to be the best. He strives to get better. To get stronger. You hardly ever see a 16-year old who watches his diet like Christian does.”



The 5’11”, 170 pound two-sport star wasn’t always the rugged on-field performer he has become.
“When he first joined the football team, he was toothpick thin and rather frail,” Head Coach Mike Helmer explained.
Helmer added:
Christian simply got bigger and stronger every year. He works out like a linebacker. His performance reflected his improved physical prowess. As a kicker, you have to be mentally tough. You have to choose to have a short memory. Christian has those intangibles as well. I have faith he can get the job done with the game on the line.
Honsalek has become so valuable to the Tigers' cause, his coach had to tell him to hold back on kickoff coverage. “This kid has no fear. He was racing down the field after his kicks looking to nail somebody," Helmer said. "Christian was flattening guys, but I was worried he would get hurt and we’d lose his services.”

Christian Honsalek’s toughness comes from his western upbringing. His family is a clan of longhorn breeders. Their ranch in the Texas Hill Country and a family-owned spread in the Davis Mountains is where Christian developed his considerable skills in rounding up and working cattle. His accuracy isn’t limited to drilling long field goals or touchbacks, either. Christian is an accomplished sharpshooter who enjoys hunting axis deer.

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Lest you think that Christian is your typical cowboy, think again. His interests beyond ranching and football are diverse. His strong faith in God, community service, student government, and his academic standing are all vital parts of his being.
Jacquelynn Worley is one of Christian’s teachers. She said of him:
It’s rare for a 16-year-old who works as hard as he does in my honors math class to show up time and time again for Friday and Saturday night functions associated with my sponsorship of the National Honor Society. Whether it is setting up and serving needy families at the Halloween church party or working with the Bridges Program (unwed mothers), Christian is always there. He always steps up.
Christian Honsalek’s 3.5 grade point average in advanced courses reflects his seriousness about his classwork. While he feels he has the physical talent to kick at the Division I level, his scholastic plans for college will include majoring in kinesiology/physical therapy. With his passion for animals, veterinary science is a distinct career possibility.

Upright is a critical word for any placekicker. It is what every kicker tries to split on every placement, whether it is an extra point or one of those 45-yard field goals Coach Riley mentioned. Perfect form each time. Head down. Drive the foot through the ball. Repeat.

Upright also pertains to being a man of high character. It is adhering to rectitude. Doing the right thing. Treating people with respect. Being the best Christian you can be. Head up. Repeat.