By Braden Bell and George Simonton

Varsity football kicker Nikhil DePalma (’24) is known throughout the Collegiate community for his sniper-like accuracy on field and his cannon of a leg. DePalma, along with his kicking skills, brings an electric personality to the team that makes the football experience exponentially more enjoyable. While one may think DePalma has been kicking a football since birth, this is surprisingly only his second year kicking for the football team.  

DePalma started his kicking career in his Junior season. He was previously a devoted member of the soccer team and played goalie for the junior varsity Collegiate boys soccer team in his Freshman and Sophomore years. His football career started when he would kick a mini blue football through the uprights on the football field before his indoor soccer practices with fellow Senior Sebastian Eberl (‘24). Playing around on the field turned out to be an influential decision that changed the trajectory of his high school career. 

In his first season on the team, the starting spot was up in the air. He lacked the confidence needed to secure the starting spot and found himself riding the bench for the first two games of the season. However, he got his lucky break in the third game of the season when he got the call and managed to go 6 of 6 on point after attempts. This gave him a rush of confidence that would stick with him, and the starting spot has been his ever since. DePalma ended his Junior season leading the team in points scored. 

In his Senior season, DePalma has immensely improved. He has managed to be able to kick a 50-yard field goal, which has always been a goal of his, and he has felt confident and relaxed while kicking. A lot of this progress has been partly due to the return of longtime kicking and punting coach Larry Jarman. DePalma said, “Within three weeks of working with Coach Jarman, I have improved more.” He also wished he had more opportunities to showcase his kicking skills on the field but is glad he made the switch from soccer. This year, DePalma has managed to make 100% of his field goals.

Now that DePalma is an integral member of the football team, he has not looked back, and he enjoys all that comes with the team. When asked to compare his football experience to his former soccer experience, DePalma said “Compared to soccer, when you are on the football team, it is like being with the family every day.” One can see the enjoyment the team brings DePalma on and off the field, such as when he sported a Spider-Man mask before the Flint Hill game and danced around the field all practice.  

DePalma has brought a lot to the Collegiate boys varsity football team, and they would not be the same without him. When he goes off to college, he will be remembered for all he brought to the team on and off of the field.

Photos courtesy of Nikhil DePalma.