Ray Brown rarely leaves the football field for NorthPointe Christian, starting at every offensive line position, at defensive end, and as one of the area's elite kickers. (Karen Waite | Advance Newspapers)
GRAND RAPIDS – There is a trademark question used by the United Parcel Service that asks: “What can Brown do for you?”
For the NorthPointe Christian football team, the answer to that question is “a lot”.
Starting on both the offensive and defensive lines, handling the punting duties, and toeing it up as the team's placekicker, Ray Brown is a driving force for the Mustangs, and has delivered with UPS-like reliability all season.
In fact, big Brown has been so busy this season that the 6-2, 250-pound senior hardly has time to take a breather.
“Ray never comes off the field,” NorthPointe Christian coach Tim Swore said. “He has started in every offensive line position – including center – and starts at defensive end for us, as well.
“He could play college football at any one of those positions, and could probably be an outstanding tight end, if someone wanted to play him there.
“He is 6-2 and has a plus-5 reach, meaning that his wing span is over five inches longer than he is tall,” Swore added. “This makes it very hard to get around him on the football field.
“Ray is also a key member of the basketball team, and a very good athlete.”
While he has been a stalwart on both sides of the ball, it has been Brown's placekicking that has made a most profound impact for the Mustangs during their playoff drive.
“Ray can kick for distance, and is consistent and accurate,” Swore said. “This past summer, we invested $120 in an old fashioned, square-toed kicking shoe, and Ray has made the most of it.
“He is also our punter and does a great job creating field position.”
Brown is 5-for-7 on his field goal attempts and has kicked 37 extra points. This is his first season handling all of NorthPointe Christian's kicking duties.
“For the previous four years, we had the same kicker in Preston Huckaby, but Ray was always off to the side kicking, just in case we needed him,” Swore said. “We knew coming into the season that he would do a wonderful job for us.
“Ray has made numerous field goals in practice of over 50 yards, and one day in practice hit the crossbar from 63. Over the past summer, he won a kicking camp competition with a 55-yard field goal.”
Brown is cashing in on that extra practice time by showcasing his placekicking skills during the homestretch of his senior season. He has booted 27 kickoffs in or out of the end zone for touchbacks. He also averages just under 40 yards per punt.
Brown made all five extra-point attempts in a pressure-packed 35-34 overtime win over Constantine to help get the Mustangs reach to the state semifinals. His extra point in overtime proved to be the difference when Constantine failed on its two-point conversion try to win it.
The week before, he kicked a field goal and made all four of his extra-point attempts in a 31-28 playoff victory over Montague.
“Ray has been a great asset for us all year,” Swore said.
As a result, the Mustangs were unbeaten through 12 games, despite having to replace a total of 17 starters on offense and defense from last year's team that also advanced to the state semifinals.
“Before each game, I read the team text messages I get from many of last year's players wishing them well and reminding them what it means to be a Mustang.
“This is another exciting season for our program.”
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