Did anyone watch the game last night? Their new kicker, Tyler Crapigna, looked amazing.
47 yard Fg and 65 yard kick offs. Punting looked good as well. Just someone to keep in our radar.
Forgot to mention he's only [u]18 years old
Tyler Crapigna found his calling early.
The placekicking phenom is well aware many of us should be so lucky at such an early age. Putting time into his talent has helped the Myers Riders product earn a spot on a 19-and-under international football team, which will face Team USA on Jan. 30 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., as part of NFL Pro Bowl week.
Crapigna, 17, is the squad’s second-youngest player, which is notable since kickers develop later.
“Not too many kids say they want to grow up to be a kicker,? says Crapigna, a Grade 12 student at St. Paul’s who has an 88% average. “Everyone wants to be the quarterback, or the middle linebacker. But I had the soccer background, so it came naturally. By my third or fourth year in football, a lot of people around me were saying, ‘You have a really good leg, you should be a kicker.’ ?
from Neate Sager Ottawa Sun
Crapigna, who booted a senior OVFL-record 48-yard field goal this summer, credits Rick Sowieta of Football Canada with recommending him for a position on Team World. The squad also includes Ottawa Gee-Gees LB Tyler Sawyer, a Cumberland Panthers grad, and DB Soonbum Cha.
“We’re playing right after the Pro Bowlers practise, so there should be a lot of people watching,? says Crapigna, who has also rewritten NCAFA records. “We also get to play in a college stadium, Florida Atlantic University.?
Crapigna hopes the experience leads to a shot in the NCAA. “I have my tapes out there and have some contacts,? he says.
Some NCAA teams are uneasy about allotting scholarships to kickers, but Crapigna is not just around-here good. He has a clip on YouTube of him making
50-yarders in practice and is getting stronger by the week.
“When we went to the Ron Dias (All-Canada Gridiron) camp (last June in Toronto), every American coach was all over him — it was the buzz of the camp,? says Max Palladino, his Myers Riders coach. “Seeing him kick in person makes a real impression. There’s a good opportunity that he will be the next kid out of Ottawa going to the American side.
“He’s like an artist when he’s doing his work — it’s perfect every time.?
Crapigna, playing with 21- and 22-year-old juniors, also helped the Ottawa Sooners pull out tight playoff games during their run to the Ontario Football Conference title.
“Tyler is the real deal,? says Sooners coach Bino Cesario, who recalls seeing Crapigna at age 12, making 25- to 30-yarders. “We’re trying to get him down to the States. He’s definitely good enough to play down there … he’s been kicking all his life, he’s accurate, he’s got a strong leg.
“At practice, his dad (Gino) will be out there with him catching punts, catching field goals for two hours. That kid probably will be, at minimum, in the CFL. I’m sure.?
Crapigna notes his family has played a big role in helping him pursue his goal. He and his dad are regularly out at the Ben Franklin Dome in wintertime, practising kicking once the golf nuts clear out.
“My dad’s been there with me since Day 1, getting all those balls, helping stay positive, helping me with technique. I learned from my (older) brother (Marco) how to play soccer, my mother (Luisa) has been there for emotional support, help with schoolwork.?
In other words, Crapigna’s job might be considered individual, but he know he’s got a team behind him.
Great prospect, unfortunate last name. I can only imagine the taunts from the crowd after a field goal miss.
Well, I heard a few words about Sandro at a game early on even with a less descriptive name. 
Maybe this kid doesn't miss.
Crapigna averaged 34.8 yards per punt, as you can see here: http://www-athrec.mcmaster.ca/athletics … queens.htm
I don’t know how they made the mistake of referring to Mike DiCroce as Mike “DiCore” twice, though.
But anyway, Crapigna has time to work on his punting, being a first year player. And we’ll remember that name, as with a name like that, he probably won’t want to miss many.
Other McMaster players to watch are listed here: http://www.cfl.ca/article/cis-preview-m … -marauders