Soccer star was Unity Christian’s emergency kicker: ‘I’d never played football before’

Unity Christian junior Jack Kamminga practices kicking with teammate Cody Walters as his holder on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. Kamminga was the emergency kicker in Week 2 against Grayling when Walters got hurt. (Photo | Lenny Padilla). 

HUDSONVILLE, Mich. - Jack Kamminga has always played futbol in the fall. But he’d never played football. 

The Hudsonville Unity Christian High School junior was essentially pulled out of the stands to be the emergency kicker for the Crusaders football team in Week 2 against Grayling after the regular kicker - Cody Walters - injured his ankle.

“I’d never played football before,” Kamminga said. “That was my first time.” 

He was so out of place on the football field that he needed help getting his jersey and pads on.

“It was kinda hard because my pads were huge and my jersey was really big,” Kamminga said with a smile. “So I didn’t know if I was supposed to tuck it in or not.”

Walters, whose main sport also is soccer, had to help Kamminga with his pads and big No. 94 jersey. A number which is usually reserved for linemen.

“It was kinda funny,” Walters said. “Weird to see. I had to help him strap up.”

Unity Christian's Cody Walters helps Jack Kamminga with his helmet. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

 So how did he do in the 37-7 win over Grayling?

“I had three kickoffs in the end zone and was 1-for-2 on extra points,” Kamminga said. “So that was awesome.”

Unity Christian coach Craig Tibbe said he’d seen enough of Kamminga in two short practices and he was OK with him kicking extra points.

“If it came down to it, yes,” Tibbe said. “I knew he was capable of it. I’d watched him in practice for a few minutes. He can really kick. That’s what he does (as a soccer player). He just had to time things up with a snapper and a holder and a different shaped ball.”

Unity Christian doesn’t kick a ton, since they run a version of the Wing-T offense and often go for two points. But Walters does a nice job when he gets in there. In Week 1 against Whitehall, he made all five of his PATs. So how does he think Kamminga did?

“I think he did amazing,” said Walters, who will return to his kicking duties in Week 3. “And the one PAT that he missed wasn’t his fault because it was a high snap.”

Unity Christian soccer star Jack Kamminga competes against Holland Christian on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. He scored a goal in the game. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

Kamminga was figuratively dragged out of the hallway at school on Wednesday by senior tight end Jake Chapman to play football. 

“Jake Chapman found Jack in the hallway to see if he’d want to kick,” Walters said.

Said Kamminga “Yeah, Big Chap recruited me. And I’m like ‘It might be fun to suit up once.’ And it was fun.”

The Unity Christian football team is 2-0 this season and the No. 13-ranked soccer team is 5-1-1. 

Kamminga, who is 6-foot-3, 175 pounds, is an outstanding basketball player, too. He’s the No. 21 ranked player in his class in the West Michigan Ballers rankings. 

But for now, Kamminga is going to stick with soccer for the rest of the fall.

“I’m retired (from football),” he said laughing. “I’m back in the student section now.” 

Jack Kamminga of Unity Christian puts up a shot against Hudsonville on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).