He stands six feet tall, but weighs in at just 156 pounds, soaking wet.
A gangly football player in every sense of the word.
But with the game on the line, down by a point or two in the dying seconds, Callum Duke would definitely be someone a coach would call on to make that clutch field goal.
The Mount Douglas Rams kicker has proved his worth over the season and the graduating senior would love to get the call to clinch what could be the team鈥檚 third straight Subway Bowl title on Saturday at B.C. Place against the Terry Fox Ravens.
鈥淚t would be a sweet way to end it, personally,鈥� said the Sussex, England, native. 鈥淚鈥檝e never come down to that situation where it comes down to a single kick (for a win). Mount Doug has always been a bit too strong for a kicker (to win a game).鈥�
It鈥檚 hardly been that close for the two-time defending provincial champion Rams. But if it came right down to it, yes, Duke would be more than up for it.
鈥淥h yeah. I had one pressure kick this year and it was the 48-yarder (field goal) that I hit right down the middle. Usually, in pressure situations, I tend to strive and not collapse so, if it does come down to it, I would be very excited.鈥�
That 48-yard kick was the last play of the first half of a 52-0 win over Handsworth at Goudy Field in Langford on Oct. 18 for the slight kicker.
鈥淚鈥檓 lean. A string bean,鈥� he said with a chuckle. 鈥淏ut the main thing about kickers is power has little to do with it. It鈥檚 all technique.鈥�
And Duke鈥檚 has been very good.
His family emigrated in 2005 and Duke began to play football for the Sooke Seahawks at the pee wee level and the team won a championship that season. He was a part of that club with Mason Swift, who helped Mount Doug win the last two Subway Bowl titles, which Duke was also a part of.
A former soccer player, who also tinkered with cricket back home with his father, Duke now feasts on football.
鈥淚t would be such a great note to end it on,鈥� he said of a chance to win a championship game. 鈥淚 would be all for it, personally. I鈥檓 not sure if my coach would be. He likes the dominating wins.鈥�
