Football: Chaminade is preparing for no punts and lots of onside kicks

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Pulaski Academy from Little Rock, Ark., is coming to town on Friday night to play West Hills Chaminade as part of the California High School Football Classics that include Bakersfield taking on Cactus from Glendale, Ariz., on Saturday at Crespi and Crespi facing Liberty from Henderson, Nev., on Saturday.

But Pulaski is the most intriguing team, because it has gained national attention as the school that almost never punts and always tries onside kicks on kickoffs.

Coach Kevin Kelley said his team has punted three times in the last five years and only in extreme circumstances for time reasons. He has no problem going for it on fourth-and-20 from his own one yard line, believing the percentages are in his favor. ‘We don’t have a punter,’ he said.

He does have a kicker who tries for onside kicks on kickoffs.

Finally, the hands team made up of receivers and defensive backs will get their chance at Chaminade.

But Pulaski is more than just the team that doesn’t punt. ‘They’re about as tricky as they get,’ Chaminade Coach Ed Croson said of the many trick plays the team has.

It will be the first time Pulaski travels out of Arkansas. The team is flying in Thursday night and returning Saturday morning.

No time for a trip to Disneyland but lots of time to attract attention in Los Angeles.

-- Eric Sondheimer