Ingles WNC preseason kicker of the year nominees announced, voting now open

The Western North Carolina (WNC) football coaches have released the preseason "Kicker of the Year" shortlist, and fans can now vote for their favorite specialist before the ballot closes at the end of the month. The nominees—spanning high‑school programs from Asheville to Hendersonville—represent the region’s top talent ahead of the 2026 season.

Nominees and voting mechanics

The five players named by the Ingles WNC coaches are senior placekicker Gabe Miller of Asheville Buncombe High, junior Tyler Hawkins from Hendersonville North High, sophomore Jordan Levy of Brevard High, senior Matt Carter representing the North Buncombe program, and junior Sam Rogers of Pisgah High. The list was first reported by the The Asheville Citizen Times, which noted the coaches’ confidence that each nominee could “change the outcome of a game with a single kick.”

Voting is being conducted online through the Ingles WNC website and via a dedicated portal on Yahoo Sports. Both platforms require a simple click‑through, and voters can cast a single ballot per day for the duration of the poll, which ends on July 31 at 11:59 p.m. local time. The Yahoo Sports article emphasizes that the competition is “open to anyone who follows WNC football,” encouraging parents, alumni, and local supporters to participate.

Why it matters

Special teams often decide close games, and the preseason award shines a spotlight on a position that receives far less media attention than quarterback or running back. By highlighting placekickers before the season starts, the Ingles WNC committee hopes to elevate the profile of the position, motivate younger athletes, and give recruiting staff a benchmark for evaluating talent across the conference.

For the nominees, the award can be a springboard to collegiate scholarships. Historically, past winners have earned offers from Division II and III programs, and a few have progressed to Division I schools. The publicity generated by the fan vote also provides a platform for the athletes to showcase their work ethic and consistency, traits that college scouts prioritize during the spring recruiting cycle.

From a community standpoint, the voting process engages a broad base of fans who may not follow every high‑school game throughout the season. The ballot’s online accessibility aligns with a growing trend of digital fan interaction in regional sports, mirroring the national “Player of the Week” contests run by major leagues.

Differing viewpoints and reactions

Coaches across the WNC district expressed enthusiasm for the fan‑driven element. The Asheville Citizen Times quoted several head coaches who said the vote “adds excitement and gives the kids a chance to feel recognized beyond the locker room.” Conversely, a few analysts highlighted concerns that popularity could outweigh performance. An editorial on the Yahoo Sports site questioned whether the open‑vote format might favor players from larger schools with bigger alumni networks, potentially skewing the outcome.

Parents of the nominees also weighed in. A parent of Gabe Miller noted that the recognition “validates his hard work after a senior year where he nailed a 55‑yard field goal in the regional championship.” Meanwhile, a supporter of Tyler Hawkins, whose family runs a local sports shop, argued that “the vote reflects community pride, not just on‑field stats.” These perspectives illustrate a balance between celebrating athletic achievement and navigating the subjective nature of fan voting.

What’s next

After the poll closes on July 31, the Ingles WNC committee will tally the results and announce the winner at a special ceremony during the first week of August, coinciding with the league’s preseason kickoff event. The award ceremony will be streamed live on the Ingles WNC website and featured in the August edition of the Asheville Citizen Times.

Beyond the award, the nominees will begin preseason training camps in early August, with many participating in regional showcases that attract college recruiters. Observers expect the eventual winner to enter the season as a focal point for his team’s special‑teams unit, potentially influencing game‑planning decisions such as kickoff strategies and late‑game field‑goal attempts.

Fans are encouraged to cast their votes now, as each ballot contributes to a tradition that celebrates the often‑overlooked art of placekicking in Western North Carolina football.