Valley’s secret weapon is freshman with ‘golden leg’

By: Matthew Purucker
Thursday, August 21, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Before entering seventh grade, Jude Hicinbothem saw his older brother Trent kicking for the Valley varsity football team and wanted to try it. Hicinbothem liked it and thought he was good enough to kick for the middle school team.

Hicinbothem was right. He was a reliable field goal and touchback maker who could regularly drill long kicks for his age. One of Hicinbothem’s favorite memories from playing in middle school was making his first 40-yard kick.

“I really think it was soccer. I’ve played it for 10 years,” Hicinbothem said. “I really think that’s what’s given me the leg strength because I do the normal football steps. But I do more of a soccer-style kick, which is why I think I’m able to hit the distance.”

Hicinbothem’s kicking ability has impressed Valley coach Mark Adams, who is making the freshman kicker the starter for the varsity team this season. Hicinbothem will handle extra points, field goals and kickoffs for the Vikings.

“Boy, he has a golden leg. This kid, I expect him to be a scholarship player by the time he leaves Valley. He’s just that good. He could put them in from 50 (yards) right now,” Adams said. “I think it’s just his demeanor. … He’s so humble, comes from a great family, and his brother, Trent, (is the) same way. (They’re) just humble individuals. And I just think that his goal is to break the (Valley) record.”

Since starting to kick, Hicinbothem has dedicated himself to getting better. He has especially enjoyed training in the offseason when he has more time to focus on specific aspects of his game.

“I always go three times a week over all of summer with my dad. And we take field goals and extra points,” Hicinbothem said. “We do field goals, 5 yards back every time, we make it until we miss one. Then we restart, and then we do kickoffs and just mess around a little bit because it’s fun.”

Hicinbothem praised former Valley middle school defensive and special teams coach Sheldon Simmons. He helped develop Hicinbothem’s talent and appreciation of kicking and was his favorite middle school coach regardless of sport.

With the football and soccer seasons approaching, Hicinbothem is preparing to be at his best at the two sports as he adjusts to starting high school.

“I did both last year. It’s going to be worse this year because there’s more practices,” Hicinbothem said. “I think I’m just going to be exhausted all the time, so I’m going to have to do my best to get good sleep and eat well and try to rest as much as I can between sports.”

Regarding football, Hicinbothem wants to use this season to grow as a kicker, get in as many reps and do everything as well as he can. With a promising future ahead of him, Hicinbothem can work day by day at becoming the best version of himself.

“I like the dog in him because he’s competitive, not just in football, but (also in) soccer. He’s going to be a very good soccer player, and he’s a good basketball player. He is an all-around athlete. … You love to be around a young man like this,” Adams said. “He speaks well about everything. I’ve never seen him, never seen him, in a bad mood. I’ve always seen him in a good light. He always sees the best in everything.”

Tags: Valley