Senior high school kicker Claire Jeffress had quite a unique week out in Pearland, Texas. The Dawson High School player was named homecoming queen last week. On Friday, she followed that honor up by making a huge game-winning field goal that sealed a big win for her team over their crosstown rivals. Following the win, her head coach showered her with praise, while Jeffress herself was modest when talking about her accomplishment.

Homecoming queen and leading up to the kick

On October 13, Claire Jeffress was named the homecoming queen at Dawson High School.

The kicker posed for the photo in her football uniform, complete with a tiara, sash and a bouquet of flowers.

This Friday, her team was in a high scoring shootout with hometown rival Pearland High School, as the game was tied 35-35. Pearland had driven down to tie the game with 4:14 left in the fourth quarter. Dawson then drove all the way down, as they possessed the ball late in the game.

However, their offense had just stalled near the end zone, leaving head coach Eric Wells with a difficult choice. He could try to convert the fourth-and-three at the 13-yard line with just over a minute left in the game or trust his kicker to win the big game.

The game-winning kick and high praise

On the night Jeffress was a perfect 5-for-5 on extra point attempts, and coach Wells decided to put the game in her hands with the 30-yard attempt. She nailed the Field Goal down the middle with a little room to spare as the crowd went wild. Dawson's defense then held on as they managed a thrilling 38-35 victory.

Following the win, coach Wells had high praise for his senior kicker. He told the Houston Chronicle's Ted Dunnam that “Claire is something -- she doesn't get rattled, there wasn't even a question that she was going to kick it.” He also noted how cool that moment was saying, “Homecoming queen knocks it through, Dawson wins.

You have to love that.”

Jeffress also spoke to Dunnam after the game, saying, “I just wanted to do what I've always done and not think of it as any big deal.” She went on to say of her big moment that, “My team had faith in me, and they were going to block for me, and the snap and the hold were going to be good, so I just had to do my job.”

She also cited how previous experience with big kicks helped. Two weeks ago her 25-yard extra point was the difference in another nailbiter of a win for Dawson, as they defeated George Ranch (Richmond, Texas) 14-13. According to USA Today High School Sports, this victory moved Dawson (5-1) to is third District 23-6A victory without dropping a loss.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED