THOMASVILLE —
A pair of soccer standouts are proving their worth on the gridiron this season.
Anthony Pistelli and Joseph Fennelly, members of the Thomasville soccer team that won the Class AA championship last spring, have seen playing time this year on the Bulldogs football team. Both have been used in the kicking and punting game. Both have enjoyed the experience so far.
“I’ve been kicking by myself since I was in ninth grade,” said Pistelli, whose Bulldogs host Mitchell County tonight. “My soccer coach for my club team in ninth grade, his son is the kicker for Lowndes, he just said, ‘You’ve got a really strong leg. Come kick.’ At that time Daniel (Anders) was kicking. I came out here and they said I would have to play junior varsity. I wasn’t really interested. When Daniel graduated, I was like, ‘Why not (now)?’
“It’s pretty fun. I like it.”
Pistelli quickly discovered the biggest difference in kicking in a soccer match and kicking in a football game.
“It’s all on you. Everybody’s watching you (in a football game),” Pistelli said. “You can mess up in soccer and somebody’s there to have your back.”
Fennelly played on the eighth grade middle school team and, according to Bulldogs coach Richie Marsh, was used as a wide receiver and cornerback. Fennelly’s return to football can be attributed to him just wanting to be a participant, rather than just an observer.
“Just having so much fun during the games in the stands, I thought it would be pretty awesome to be on the field, too,” Fennelly said.
Marsh added, “Joseph is one we’ve always wanted to come out. Joseph played middle school football for us and he was a cornerback and receiver and was a starter for us. We’ve always tried to talk him into coming back out. I think him and Anthony are pretty good friends. I think Parker Bush had a lot to do with Anthony coming out, knowing Anthony had kicked some in the past and was looking forward to coming out.”
Both started this year, mainly working on field goals, extra points and kickoffs. But when punter Bradley Weatherspoon was lost for the season following Thomasville’s game against Thomas County Central, Pistelli and Fennelly had to focus more in the punting game. They excelled last Friday against Pelham.
“With the loss of our punter, both of them have stepped in. Joseph kicked some and Pistelli kicked some Friday,” Marsh said. “It’s been a blessing having them guys.”
Fennelly added, “I think we’ve both have gotten better. We’ve definitely gotten better since the first day. It’s a lot of fun.”
Local Sports
Related Photos
-
Thomasville junior Joseph Fennelly was a member of the Bulldogs' Class AA championship team in soccer last spring. Clint Thompson
-
Thomasville senior Anthony Pistelli practices punting at Veterans Memorial Stadium during practice on Wednesday. Clint Thompson
Soccer duo excelling in Bulldogs’ kicking game
- Local Sports
-
-
Strickland named Player of Year
-
THS' Donalson named top pitcher
Bulldogs ace fanned 106 in 66 2/3 innings
- Johnson nabs Coach of Year honors
-
English tied for second
Thomasville's Harris English is tied for second at the Colonial golf tournament in Fort Worth, Texas.
-
THS set to hold Bulldog Brawl
No rest for the weary.
-
English qualifies for British Open
Thomasville’s Harris English has qualified for his first major.
His chance at another major comes in a couple of weeks. -
Central's Henley honored again
Jodi Henley is a model of excellence and consistency. The Thomas County Central junior was recently named to the all-state golf team for the third time.
-
Spring showcase
Two weeks of spring practice culminated in an annual scrimmage for Thomas County Central on Tuesday.
-
Warriors honored with postseason awards
Whether it be all-state or all-region, the Brookwood Warriors were honored for their 27-6 season.
-
Warriors' season done
Youth and inexperience in the GISA playoffs came back to haunt the Brookwood Warriors on Monday.
With a chance to play for the Class AA championship on the line, the Warriors allowed three unearned runs in the first inning and left the bases loaded in the fourth, leading to Windsor Academy defeating Brookwood 5-3. - More Local Sports Headlines
-
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
