Foster, who serves as both a linebacker and a place kicker for the Dragons, made back-to-back big plays – one on offense and one on defense – in his team’s win over Houston Bellaire.
In the closing seconds of the first half, Foster intercepted a pass and returned it to the Bellaire 30-yard line. With just four seconds remaining, the senior lined up and nailed a 47-yard field goal to give Carroll a 33-6 lead heading into halftime.
A varsity player since his freshman year, Foster has proven over his four years that he can make an impact on offense, defense and special teams with his kicking and tackling.
"I want to be the guy who’s always giving 100 percent, picking people up and not putting them down," said Foster, who was tied for second for Carroll in tackles with 27 and second in scoring with 35 points heading into last weekend’s game against Galena Park North Shore. "I want to do my role, because I know everyone is doing their job.
"Whenever our offense can’t punch it in, I want to be the guy who steps in there and gives them an extra three or gets a PAT or kicks an extra-long kick. I love that role and I want to be the one that people rely on."
Foster added two more field goals this past weekend in his team’s 28-15 loss to North Shore. His first, to give the Dragons a 3-0 lead in the first, was a career-best 49-yarder. Already having kicked several 40-plus yard field goals, the high school senior boasts a range that many college and pro kickers can’t deliver on a consistent basis.
"When I get back in there for a long kick, I just get in the moment," Foster said. "I trust that J.J. Drescher’s going to have a great snap and Derek Rutten’s going to have a good hold. When I make it, I try to celebrate with my teammates, but sometimes I get all excited and start going crazy. I’m trying to work on that."
A big kid even as a freshman, Foster (6-foot-1, 215 pounds) was a natural to use his strength and speed at the linebacker position. Although serving as a backup on defense his first two seasons, Foster began starring in both his kicking and linebacking role as a junior.
Combining with Lincoln Schick (team leader in tackles) and Mitchell Osborne (tied with Foster for second), the trio form a talented linebacking corps.
"I get a big rush out of that as well and I love it, but it doesn’t compare to the kicking thing," Foster said. "I know I’m able to do what I do defensively because of the guys that are around me doing their job.
"I love hearing pads pop and hearing the crowd react to a big hit. That’s a lot of fun."
Carroll coach Hal Wasson knows how invaluable Foster’s role is, not only because of the talent he brings to multiple phases of the game, but because of his experience and the example he sets as well.
"I think he’s a great leader for our football team, a great ambassador and a great role model," Wasson said. "He’s a kid with great character and outstanding work ethic.
"He’s a proven winner," he said. "He’s battle-tested and he brings a lot to the table both on the field and off. … He’s a coach’s dream."
Foster has also proven himself ready for college in more ways than one. Having verbally committed to Alabama earlier this year, the senior took summer classes and will graduate after the fall semester in order to head to Tuscaloosa for spring football practice.
Recruited as a kicker, Foster doesn’t know if he will play linebacker in college. Although coaches have mentioned it as a possibility, he knows his main focus will be on the kicking game.
He’ll also have the chance to join forces with former Carroll quarterback Greg McElroy, a graduate student at Alabama that has one more year of college football eligibility. McElroy has enjoyed success leading the Crimson Tide, ranked No. 3 by the AP and USA Today.
"I talked to [McElroy] when I was thinking about committing," Foster said. "He told me he liked it. That was part of what helped me make my decision, just listening to him."
Dragons Aim to Bounce Back
Although it was a disappointing loss for Carroll, Wasson said his team will use their first defeat of the year as a learning experience.
The Dragons (4-1) fell to Galena Park North Shore (4-1) by a 28-15 final in a battle of two teams ranked in the top 10 in the state.
"We’ll become a better team," Wasson said. "Preseason is pre-test time. That’s how you prepare for the real test of district, which starts next Friday against Coppell.
"It’s tough [to have a week off after a loss], because you’d like to get that taste out of your mouth by the next Friday," he said. "But we get an extra few days to work on things for Coppell. That’s a positive."
