One-handed high school football player sets receiving yardage record
September 17, 2015
Victor Skinner
Victor is a communications specialist for EAG and joined in 2009. Previously, he was a newspaper journalist.
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CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS, Pa. – Cambridge Springs High School wide receiver Kris Silbaugh is dominating his opponents in a big way.
The junior receiver just surpassed his school’s record for all-time receiving yardage with a 43-yard touchdown against Saegertown High School last Friday, when he eclipsed the 912-yard record that’s stood since 1998, The Big Lead reports.
The accomplishment – 915 receiving yards and counting – is even more impressive given the fact that Silbaugh managed the feat without a left hand.
“It was just some sort of birth defect,” Silbaugh told USA Today. “Nothing was wrong. It has never stopped me. I just don’t let it; never have.”
Silbaugh taught himself how to cope with his disability, learning by himself to tie his shoes and pull down big plays on the football field. By the time he was a 14-year-old freshman, Silbaugh was playing on the varsity team, though he initially hesitated in trying out.
“I never wanted anyone to pity me,” Silbaugh said. “I hate that feeling.”
“I knew I wanted to be a receiver, but I didn’t know how everyone would react with I tried out,” he said. “Finally, I just went for it. I knew I would have to be better than good. I still remember Coach (Clint) Rausher, who was the head coach at the time, and he was a little shocked when I said I was a receiver.”
It didn’t take long, however, for Silbaugh to silence his critics.
“It went from the guys being excited to see if he could actually do something to them counting on him to make plays,” assistant coach turned head coach Justin Grubbs said. “It’s just amazing to see what he’s able to do. He makes catches you wouldn’t believe. He’s a guy that defenses have to have a game plan for and he’s just so fast.”
Silbaugh’s 4.4 second 40-yard dash, in fact, is on par with the top high school recruits in the nation, Newsmax reports.
It’s his blazing speed that Silbaugh credits for his success, which he hopes will result in more shattered records. He currently has 38 career receptions, well on his way to break the Cambridge Springs record of 57.
“I definitely want all the records I can get,” Silbaugh told USA Today. “It’s crazy that, at first, on one knew me and now I get the best guy in the secondary all the time. I still feel like I have to prove people wrong because there’s always someone in the stands that hasn’t seen me play.
“I know that people will always be shocked at what I’m able to do because I only have one hand, but my goal is to be known as a dominant player, period,” he said.
Silbaugh doesn’t just dominate his opponents from the offense, he’s also snatched a few interceptions as cornerback on defense.
http://eagnews.org/one-handed-high-school-football-player-sets-receiving-yardage-record/
