Football: Former Viroqua player makes a good first impression with Panthers

By KIRK BEY / La Crosse Tribune

WEST SALEM, Wis. — Jake McCabe just walked right up to Wayne Sackett in the West Salem High School weight room, introduced himself and started to get acquainted. And McCabe really did have Sackett, West Salem’s football coach, at hello.

Granted, Sackett still is getting to know McCabe, a sophomore transfer from Viroqua High School who will be the Panthers’ kicker this season. But Sackett is impressed with the poise and confidence McCabe showed in what would be an uncomfortable situation for most new students.

“His willingness to step out of his comfort zone says a lot about who he is,” Sackett said. “That’s asking a lot of a 16-year-old. That’s asking a lot of an adult. “What he did (by introducing himself) speaks volumes about what kind of young man he is.”

If McCabe doesn’t get rattled meeting new people, then Sackett is certain he won’t blink at the prospect of hitting a crucial extra point or field goal. McCabe proved he could deliver in tense situations last season for Viroqua. His extra point proved to be the game-winner in the Blackhawks’ 30-29 overtime victory over River Valley. His field goal in overtime lifted Viroqua to a 10-7 over Arcadia in the regular-season finale.

McCabe is someone who loves everything about being a kicker. His first love was soccer when he lived in New Hampshire, but he gravitated toward football and began attending kicking camps.

Sackett said McCabe, who is comfortable attempting field goals between 30 and 40 yards, nailed a 48-yarder with no problem during the first week of practice. McCabe also helped the Panthers avoid extra conditioning by drilling a 37-yard field goal.

With clutch kicking like that, McCabe’s teammates are bound to feel comfortable having him on the team. It’s safe to say he likes where he’s at right now.

“I thought I fit right in here pretty well right away,” McCabe said. “There’s great team spirit here, and we all work together really well and help each other out. It’s nice to be a part of a team like this.”

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