Meet Newton’s Italian boot

So when Clementi’s exchange-student program brought him to Newton High School just as football season was getting started, every sight at Singletary Stadium brought a new experience.

The pop of the pads. The roar of the crowd. Clementi wanted to be a part of it all.

“The football team looked like fun, and I’ve played soccer for 10 years, so I thought kicker would be a good spot,” Clementi said. “They didn’t have one, and I figured why not me?”

Still learning on the job, Clementi is now serving as Newton’s primary kicker. With the Eagles in the midst of another deep playoff run through the Class 3A-II bracket, every kick becomes more important, and Clementi knows it.

“Those moments are amazing,” Clementi said of taking the field with the Eagles. “But it’s a lot of pressure, too. There are a lot of people depending on you.”

Clementi is a quick learner, and he’s self taught — at least if you don’t count YouTube.

More Information

Game information:

Who: Newton vs. Waskom

Where: Nacogdoches High School

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

As he prepared to make a run at Newton’s kicking vacancy, Clementi took to the internet, searching for videos of NFL kickers to learn from. He spent hours watching and imitating, picking up skills and tendencies along the way.

“I don’t think people realize how many little techniques go into American football kicking,” Clementi said. “It takes a lot of skill.”

Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker — considered by many to be a future hall of famer — was Celmenti’s go-to source while watching professional videos. He’s even become a bit of an NFL fan in the process, glued to the television as Tucker set a league record by connecting on a 66-yard field goal earlier this season to beat the Detroit Lions.

“When Tucker hit that field goal for the record, I couldn’t believe it,” Clementi said. “That was incredible.”

It’s helped Clementi’s learning curve to have another exchange student alongside him. Newton junior Emanuele Arrigihi, also from Italy, has been trying his luck at kicking, too.

Clementi was first set to attend Orangefield, but a switch in host family sent him to Newton. It took until about mid-season for Clementi to appear in a game, eventually earning the trust of Eagles head coach Drew Johnston.

“Newton isn’t really known for kicking, but we’ve got the two exchange students who have really come in and helped us out,” Johnston said. “Alessandro has done a nice job for us and is getting better every day.”

With Division I prospect DeAnthony Gatson at running back, the Eagles don’t kick much. Newton often goes for it on fourth down or attempts two-point conversions, cutting down on Clementi’s opportunities.

However, he still handles kickoffs, and has registered a few tackles throughout the season. He also made two extra points during the Eagles’ regular-season finale against Corrigan-Camden.

Newton isn’t the only local playoff team this season with an exchange-student kicker. Evadale’s Svend Puge, who is from Denmark, was a strong option for the Rebels during their area-round run in Class 2A that ended last week.

A senior at Newton, Clementi isn’t exactly sure what will come after graduation. He hopes to continue his studies at a college in the United States.

For now, he’s focused on helping the Eagles football team win however possible as the regional quarterfinals await on Friday night. Newton has a 7 p.m. kickoff against Waskom at Nacogdoches High School.

“The playoffs have been a great experience, so hopefully we can keep that going,” Clementi said.

Matt Faye is a Sports Reporter and Columnist for the Beaumont Enterprise. Contact him at MFaye@BeaumontEnterprise.com or on Twitter by clicking here. 

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