2025 Eastern League Preview: kickers
2025 Eastern League Specialist Preview
Strong Legs, Bright Futures
The 2025 Eastern League will showcase one of the most intriguing mixes of kicking talent in San Diego — featuring nationally ranked recruits, veteran returners, and high-upside newcomers ready to step into Friday night lights.
Every team brings its own unique storyline:
Christian is looking for its next high-volume scorer to step into a role with a rich specialist history.
La Jolla hands the reins to senior combo prospect Julian Zavala, hungry to bounce back from an injury-shortened 2024 and lead the Vikings’ special teams.
Madison returns Harrison Brown, the #5 ranked kicker in the 2027 class, fresh off a huge offseason and ready to make national noise.
Point Loma relies on the versatility of Ryan Cleator, a proven K/P who’s also a two-way athlete.
San Diego High could see a family legacy continue if Emilio Morales (2027) claims the starting job and delivers on his high upside.
St. Augustine features the dynamic duo of Callen Moore and Alfred Atallah — arguably the top 2028 specialist pairing in the county.
From 75-yard kickoffs in training to game-winning field goals and perfectly placed punts, the Eastern League’s special teams units are stacked with storylines that will play a major role in the championship race.
Christian — “High Ceiling, Big Opportunity”
Kicker to Watch: Position Open
Specialist History: Produced multiple high-level kickers, including Kyle Thompson (University of Kansas, Class of 2016)
Christian heads into 2025 without a clear varsity starter at kicker, but the role comes with massive potential. The Patriots have a long-standing tradition of winning football, scoring in bunches, and producing quality specialists — highlighted by alumni like Kyle Thompson, who went on to play at the University of Kansas.
With Christian’s potent offense, the kicker position is a high-volume opportunity. Whoever steps into the role will get plenty of PAT attempts, multiple field goal opportunities per game, and a chance to showcase their leg on kickoffs for a team that expects to be in the playoff mix every season.
It’s an open door for a new name to emerge and become the next in the Patriots’ line of standout specialists. With the right work ethic and game-day composure, the 2025 starter could quickly make a name for themselves in the Eastern League Kicker of the Year race.
La Jolla — “Carrying the Torch”
Kicker/Punter to Watch: Julian Zavala (2025)
Specialist History: Produced standout Devin Bale (University of Arkansas starting punter, NFL prospect; former University of Northern Colorado)
The Vikings hand the specialist duties to Julian Zavala, a senior combo prospect who will handle both kicking and punting in 2025. Zavala is coming off an injury-riddled junior season, which has only added fuel to his offseason grind. Entering his senior year as the guy, his focus will be on staying healthy and delivering week in and week out for one of the Eastern League’s most disciplined programs.
Zavala’s accuracy as a field goal kicker and high ceiling as a punter make him a valuable two-phase weapon. His kickoffs are still developing in distance, but with continued work and game reps, he has the tools to solidify himself as a true college prospect.
La Jolla’s offense has historically kept their kickers near the top of the PAT/extra point leaderboards, but they rarely attempt many field goals — a key statistic in the league’s Kicker of the Year conversation. If the Vikings can generate more field goal opportunities this season, Zavala could see a major boost in production and recruiting attention.
With a strong history of producing specialists, including current Arkansas punter Devin Bale, Zavala has a chance to be the next name in the Vikings’ kicking legacy — provided he stays healthy and capitalizes on his senior campaign.
Madison — “The Big Leg in the Eastern League”
Kicker to Watch: Harrison Brown (2027)
National Ranking: #5 Overall Kicker in the 2027 Class (Chris Sailer Kicking)
Accolades: 2024 All-State Sophomore Team, Chris Sailer TOP 12 Invitee
The Eastern League gets an immediate spotlight-stealer in Harrison Brown, Madison’s returning starter and one of the top specialists in the country. Ranked #5 nationally in the 2027 class by Chris Sailer Kicking, Brown was invited to the elite TOP 12 Camp — a gathering of the top 50 high school specialists in the nation — where he went toe-to-toe with the best.
In 2024, Brown went 3-for-5 on field goals and earned All-State honors as a sophomore. This offseason, his stock skyrocketed after a dominant showing at the New Gen Future Legends Camp in July, where he averaged 68 yards per kickoff and won both the field goal and punt competitions. In training, he has even charted a 75-yard kickoff, proving his rare leg strength is already at the elite national level.
With 55+ yard field goal range and pinpoint accuracy, Brown has the ability to swing games singlehandedly. Madison’s physical style of play often leads to close, hard-fought battles, which means Brown’s leg could be the difference between wins and losses.
Simply put — we cannot wait to put the rest of the world on notice with his talent. By the end of the 2025 season, expect Harrison Brown to not just be one of the best in the Eastern League, but a full-fledged national recruit. He is our favorite to win the league kicker of the year title.
Point Loma — “Leg Talent, Grit, and Game-Changing Upside”
Kicker to Watch: Ryan Cleator (2027)
Role: Returning Varsity Starter, K/P Combo
Athletic Profile: Multi-position athlete, also plays defense
Specialist Alumni: Jaime Medina (Class of 2016) – New Gen Kicking Founder, 5⭐ Punter, Sacramento State
The Eastern League’s most battle-tested returning starter is Ryan Cleator, a 2027 K/P combo athlete for the Pointers. With varsity experience already under his belt, Cleator enters 2025 with a stronger mental game, a cleaner swing, and the confidence to be a true difference-maker on Friday nights.
Cleator’s tall frame, natural leg strength, and ability to handle all three phases — field goals, kickoffs, and punts — make him one of the most complete specialists in the league. He’s also a physical football player, contributing on defense, which adds to his toughness and leadership value.
This offseason, Cleator has focused on refining his mechanics and improving consistency, especially on kickoffs and long-range field goals. His punting ability already gives Point Loma a weapon in the field position game, but continued growth across all phases could make him a top contender for Eastern League Kicker of the Year.
Point Loma has a strong tradition of producing talented specialists, and Cleator is in a prime position to be the next in line. With his leg talent, versatility, and competitive drive, he’s ready to make his own mark on the program’s history in 2025.
San Diego High School — “A New Morales Era?”
Kicker to Watch: Emilio Morales (2027)
Previous Specialist: Julien Morales (2025) – Two-year varsity starter
The Cavers enter 2025 without a confirmed varsity starter, but one name to watch is Emilio Morales (2027), the younger brother of former starter Julien Morales, who held the job for the past two seasons. While Julien has chosen not to continue football in college, Emilio could be the next Morales to make an impact in the kicking game for San Diego High.
Emilio brings a very natural swing and smooth follow-through — the kind of mechanics that some players spend years trying to develop. He has the tools to be a reliable placekicker at the varsity level and has shown flashes of potential as a punter. With refinement, he could emerge as one of the Eastern League’s most intriguing new specialists.
His upside is clear, but his game still needs growth in areas like kickoff depth and live-game experience. If he can win the starting job, log consistent reps, and adjust to Friday night pressure, Emilio Morales has the potential to carry on his family’s legacy at San Diego High — and possibly set himself up for a future at the next level.
St. Augustine — “Dynamic Duo Ready to Shine”
Kickers to Watch: Callen Moore (2028) & Alfred Atallah (2028)
Previous Starter: Declan Mullins – Injured during 2024 season
The Saints enter 2025 with one of the most exciting specialist situations in San Diego — a talented 2028 duo set to share duties and push each other to new heights. Last season, Declan Mullins opened as the starter and was dominant until an injury ended his campaign. That’s when Callen Moore, then a freshman, stepped in and went 7-for-8 on field goals, earning national recognition from MaxPreps as one of the top statistical 2028 kickers in the country.
Now, Moore is joined by Alfred Atallah, a tall, strong-framed prospect with a powerful leg and high ceiling, who played on the novice team in 2024. Together, they form what could be the top 2028 specialist pairing in San Diego, with both expected to take reps on kickoffs and field goals this season.
With this kind of depth and talent, Saints’ kicking game will be a major strength as they aim to defend their CIF title in 2025.
Final Thoughts: Specialists Who Will Shape the Season
The Eastern League kicks off 2025 with a unique mix of proven talent and rising stars. From Harrison Brown’s booming leg at Madison to the Saints’ 2028 Dynamic Duo, every program has a chance to see its kicker step into the spotlight and deliver game-changing moments.
This is more than just about points on the board — it’s about momentum, field position, and the confidence a team gains knowing they have a weapon on special teams. The Eastern League’s specialists will be under the lights all season long, and by the time November arrives, the name at the top of the Kicker of the Year list will have earned it through clutch performances and consistent execution.
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