At most small-town high schools, players are forced to play both ways and not allowed to concentrate on a particular position. At Goshen High School though, Coach Bart Snyder has not one, but two, aces up his sleeve.

The Eagles have the luxury of possessing a pair of kickers that have the leg strength to score points from almost anywhere on their opponent’s side of the field. The Macias brothers, Steven and Daniel, give the Eagles a shot at points, where other teams might not be as confident.

Steven said he feels confident from any distance up to forty yards.

“From forty it, I am 100% confident,” said Steven. “From outside of that, there is a high percentage of me making it. You have to have confidence as a kicker. If any negative thoughts enter your head while trying to make a kick, it won’t go well.”

Daniel admitted that his leg isn’t quite as strong as his brothers, but is still confident in his abilities.

“It’s relaxing playing with my brother,” said Daniel. “I can focus on shorter kicks and getting my leg stronger and more accurate for the coming years.”

Both brothers played soccer prior to picking up the game of football, and Steven said that his little brother got him interested.

Daniel was first to give the new sport a try, and thus got his older brother to come out for the team.

“He (Daniel) actually started playing first,” said Steven. “The guys started bragging on him for making 30 and 40 yarders, so I decided to give it a shot. It has been really fun playing with him and he will get his kicks as well.”

Steven has made kicks from as long has 60 yards in practice, and says he has received interest from a few colleges.

The brothers also look to the kickers in the Nation Football League as inspiration. Both Macias’ site David Akers of the San Francisco 49ers and Sebastian Janikowski of the Oakland Raiders as their personal favorite kickers.

“Janikowski and David Akers are my favorites,” said Steven. “I love the sound of the ball when it is kicked perfectly and the hit it perfect every time.”

Snyder firmly believes that during the playoff run at least one game will come down to special teams play and is confident that his group is one of the best.

“Anytime we got to around the 30-35 we feel that we can get points,” said Snyder. “They are valuable weapons and we will have to use them to win a game down the stretch, I’m sure.”

Goshen wraps up the regular season Thursday night against McKenzie. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at The Eagles’ Nest in Goshen.