Hough High School All-American kicker Nolan Hauser boots record-setting field goal in win

No high school kicker has made more field goals than Hough’s Nolan Hauser. Ever.

Hauser’s teammates mobbed him as his 48-yarder dropped through the uprights in the third quarter of the Huskies’ 52-7 thumping of North Mecklenburg Thursday evening. It marked the 57th field goal of the Clemson-bound senior’s career, breaking the national record for most career field goals among high school kickers.

“We’ve had great long snappers and holders,” Hauser said. “It’s consistent. I mean, we’ve had a bunch of field goals every year, so I’m getting used to that part in college where I’m gonna have to kick 20 field goals.

“Hough High School runs its football program like a college program. It’s awesome to be able to have this going into Clemson.”

Hauser said Dabo Swinney called him after his record-tying kick in Hough’s (3-1) 20-17 win over recent South Carolina champion Dutch Fork on Sept. 1, telling him how proud he is of him.

It was the only field goal he attempted on Thursday, but he had more than his share of extra points in a wire-to-wire drubbing of the Vikings (1-3). The Huskies dominated, finding the end zone on their opening drive and never looking back after building a 28-0 advantage early in the second quarter.

“He was meant to be the all-time field goal leader,” Hough head coach DeShawn Baker said. “For him to have it is a huge accomplishment. I’m happy for him, and I’m happy for the team — because you’ve gotta have a good group of special teams guys to even accomplish that.”

Three who made a difference

James Nesta, Hough: The Oklahoma-bound edge rusher was a force all night on defense as the Huskies limited their opponent to just a touchdown. After North Mecklenburg received the second-half kickoff, Nesta batted down a pass and returned it for a pick-six.

Trey Blakeney, Hough: The junior quarterback was strong with his legs and arm all evening. He powered through the Vikings’ defense to rush for the first two Huskies touchdowns.

Zane Bostick, Hough: The junior fired up his sideline as he crossed the plane with the Huskies’ fourth touchdown of the evening during the second quarter.

Worth mentioning

Hough, the Cornelius school that opened in 2010, is looking to make this fall its 12th straight winning season. But the Huskies have never gotten over the hump — not even last year, when they held opponents to seven or fewer points in all 11 wins, but ultimately came a field goal short of Grimsley in the playoffs.

The Huskies are led by first-year head coach DeShawn Baker, a Charlotte native and former Hough assistant. The South Carolina State Hall of Famer left for the Cox Mill head coaching job in 2021, spent three seasons there and guided the Chargers to a 9-3 record last fall.

“When I came back from South Carolina, this was the first school I came to and started coaching,” Baker said. “To leave and come back and be the leader of the program, it’s everything. It’s almost like a dream job.”

What’s next?

Hough has a marquee matchup next week, facing No. 5 Chambers. North Meck meets Harding University, which it trounced 46-6 last year, in Charlotte next Friday night.

Scoring summary

HOUGH 14 21 17 0 — 52

NORTH MECK 0 7 0 0 — 7

Watch: Nolan Hauser’s record kick

PHOTOS: North Mecklenburg at Hough