You might get a kick out of this

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

This is difficult to write, but ... I got scooped by the Wall Street Journal.

In case you’ve never been to a city with a building taller than two stories, the WSJ is a business and financial publication that’s based in New York. The real kicker? It doesn’t even have a sports page.

But one of its reporters evidently got wind of a freshman football player at Upland that kicks like ‘Gus’ the mule.

The kicker’s name is Jake Van Ginkel and here’s his story. Since that piece was published, Van Ginkel has added to his fame, kicking field goals of 57 and 58 yards in a freshman game last Thursday against San Gorgonio.

He’s the third of five brothers and his dad seems like a cross between Marv Marinovich and Jim Clausen. At least he spends quality time with his kids.

If you’re wondering why Van Ginkel isn’t kicking for the varsity, the Highlanders have a pretty good one in senior Kyle Hughlock, a three-year starter who has made all three of his field-goal attempts, 12 of 13 point-after attempts and booted 15 of 21 kickoffs for touchbacks.

- Dan Arritt