Good Sports - Evan Rios

MADERA, Calif. (KFSN) -- "He's the best kicker I've ever seen," proclaimed Madera football head Coach Bonner Cunnings when talking about his senior star kicker Evan Rios.

Kicking a ball has always come natural to Rios, his high school career began on the soccer pitch until a torn ACL put him on a different path.

"I look at it as almost a blessing in disguise because soccer was my life, I injured myself, got back and another door opened," said Rios.

Evan was sidelined for his entire sophomore year and then transitioned from one form of "football" to the other.

"He forever changed the way I view finding a kicker, it's just as important as finding a quarterback," said Cunnings.

Special teams coach Russ Stanford added, "I've been coaching over 30 years, I've had quite a few exceptional athletes, some have gone to the Olympics, he's right up there too."

Rios puts in the work in the classroom as well, maintaining a 3.78 GPA and looks to earn a division-1 football scholarship while planning to major in business management.

"School is first, sports is important, but education is everything to me," Rios said.

Evan has already kicked two game-winning field goals this season, his first game-winner of the year earned him the Kohl's Kicking Camps National Player of the Week award.

Stanford said, "He will do what ever we ask him to support the team and improve himself, what else can you ask for that's just a perfect player."