Class 2012: Sean Decloux, K/P, Red Lion Christian Academy (Video)

Today, CFC features class 2012 star kicker/punter from the Red Lion Christian Academy (Delaware), Sean Decloux. Sean began playing football for the junior St. Peter’s Knights.

Sean Decloux

Positions:
Kicker, Punter

Height/Weight:
6’2, 184 lbs

Teams:
Red Lion Christian Academy (high school)
St. Peter’s Knights (high school)
Cumberland Panthers (varsity)
Team Ontario East

Commitment:
None

Consideration:
Lehigh (NCAA), Maine (NCAA), Georgetown (NCAA), Bowling Green (NCAA), Queen’s, Concordia

Class:
2012

While Sean may have started playing in 2008, he only realized his kicking potential would be better suited to football when he was in grade 11. At the time, not only was the star playing football at school, but he was also a member of the Ottawa Fury soccer team.

On the heels of travelling to Florida for the North American championships, Sean was at a crossroads and made a key decision.

“I did not want to get injured for soccer so I decided that I would only kick and punt in football,” explains the Ottawa native who also previously played basketball, hockey and baseball. “After a few practice of just kicking and punting I fell in love with it.”

Going forward with the decision to make football as his main sport was the right thing for Sean.

“I feel like I can take bits and pieces from every sport I have ever played and put them into one form of sport which is football,” comments the graduating player.

The first football team the star kicker/punter played for was the junior St. Peter’s Knights in Ottawa. Sean gradually made the move up to the senior Knights team in his third year. He also played with the Cumberland Panthers of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) in the summer of 2010.

The honours have been numerous for the standout kicker/punter. He was awarded the Coach’s award in his grade 10 year with the junior Knights. With the OVFL’s Panthers, Sean was most valuable special teams player in 2009. This past July, the graduating player represented Team Ontario East at the Football Canada Cup in Lethbridge, Alberta.

Attending the Kohl’s National Scholarship Camp has been the main highlight of Sean’s football career. While participating at the camp, he competed against 350 of the best kickers/punters in the United States. Furthermore, the standout received valuable instruction from more than 30 current NCAA and NFL kickers/punters.

This past season, Sean went south of the border to play with Red Lion Academy in Bear Delaware. His personal coach in Ottawa, Vic Tedondo made contact with Red Lion and that paved the way for the standout to play his final year of high school ball there.

Tedondo, who runs Gridiron Academy, is a major reason Sean has been able to make the natural progression into a star kicker/punter.

“It was coach Vic and the Gridiron Academy that helped me have the offseason I needed between grade 11 and 12 that would prepare my strength, speed, endurance, flexibility, and more for my senior year at a huge football program in the United States,” adds the standout who was the special’s team’s MVP this season at Red Lion. “Had it not been for the care and help he gave me, I would be nowhere near where I am today.”

Red Lion teammate and UCLA commit, Eli Ankou has been a positive influence on Sean’s career. Additionally, Ankou’s encouragement and success has been a source of inspiration and motivation for his fellow teammate.

“Had it not been for Eli’s hard work and the connections he made down south, I would not have been able to play at Red Lion,” comments Sean. “It was an honour to play with him for three seasons especially considering the friendship we now share after all we’ve gone through together.”

Moreover, it would not have been possible for the graduating standout to continue pursuing his football dreams without the support of his family, especially his mother and brothers.

“They never limited me, they allowed my young football career to flourish into what it has become today regardless of the sacrifices they had to make for me,” says Sean. “I’m so glad moving down south paid off for me, I feel like I have grown into a hard working young man who values the importance of strong family relationships, and recognizes that without them I would be nothing.”

Furthermore, the Ottawa kicker/punter says his extended family, friends from both sides of the border and all sports coaches he’s had throughout the years have played a role in his success. Sean appreciates the special time and attention personal coaches Ryan Begin, Bobby Begin, Jamie Kohl and John Kohl took into making him the player he is today.

Sean experienced a moment this past season while playing at Red Lion Academy that memorable for him.

“It would have to be hitting a 52 yard field goal while playing a high school game in southern Florida,” explains the Red Lion kicker/punter. “I hit it with no time left in the first half to put my team within a couple points.”

Long term, Sean has goals he would like to achieve on and off the field.

“I want to play football for as long as I can but still maintain and value relationships with family and friends,” explains Sean. “I also value the importance of education and having a backup plan.”

“I want to go to a school that promises a strong education, and gives me a shot to go far in football.”

On that day back in grade 11 when he decided to take football seriously, Sean compiled a list of all the football goals he wanted to achieve by the time he finished his high school playing career.

Once that list was compiled, the star kicker/punter posted it beside his bed as a constant reminder. Through the mind set of hard work and determination, Sean has been able to achieve success in reaching his goals on and off the field.

“Although some goals seemed far off, nothing but hard work and dedication led to my eventual realization of these goals,” adds Sean. “I am now able to do the same thing with my actual life, and set targets that I hope to achieve.”

“Although I was at times unsure whether I would reach goals, it is better to die trying than to die not knowing.”

Video of Sean’s Football Highlights:

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