South Brunswick Kid Punts, Passes and Kicks His Way to Meadowlands

What has been a banner year for football on all levels in South Brunswick keeps getting better. The  and ranked fifth in the state, the , and  is tearing up the college ranks at Rutgers University, where he's listed as a top 50 NFL Draft Prospect by Sports Illustrated. 

But no one at the high school or Rutgers can match what 10-year-old Michael Slover is about to do. Michael will walk onto the field at MetLife Stadium (AKA the New Meadowlands) to compete this Sunday in the NFL's Punt, Pass and Kick (PPK) competition during the morning and through halftime of Sunday's game between the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins.

"It's going to be really exciting and I'm nervous about it," Michael said. "I've been working out with (SBHS Head Coach Rick Mantz) and he's having the kicker help me. (Mantz) is telling me what I'm doing wrong and correcting it for me."

The PPK competition features kids from various age groups competing for distance and accuracy kicking the football off of a tee, punting the football, and throwing the ball.

Held over the past month at Rowland Park, Michael was ranked number one in both competitions held in this region, besting hundreds of other 10-year-olds from throughout the area. In the local NFL PPK competition, Michael won first place with a combined distance of 199 feet. In the regional PPK, he won first place with a combined distance of 204 feet.

But behind every high-achieving kid are a pair of proud parents, as Michael's parents Tom and Michelle Slover are ready to watch their son take the same field where NFL superstars compete.

"It was wonderful to watch him (win the competition)," Tom said. "This is really something that comes along once in a lifetime."

For Tom, the competition is even more special as a Giants fan to watch his son compete on the same field as the G-Men.

"It's going to be great to see him on that field," Tom said. "I'm a die hard Giants fan, so luckily he was picked to represent them. Mike is a Jets fan so we go at it a little bit."

Michael, a fifth-grader at Brunswick Acres Elementary School, also plays goalie in lacrosse; plays catcher, pitcher and third base on the South Brunswick travel team; and plays Pop Warner football for the South Brunswick Vikings junior pee-wee team, as a center and running back on offense and nose guard on defense.

"Center is my favorite position because I like blocking people," Michael said. "As a lineman you don't really get to touch the ball, so I like playing center because you touch the ball on every play."

To get ready for Sunday, Michael has been getting help from more than just the SBHS squad. He's also been practicing for the competition with his former Pop Warner coach Mark Labos. In addition, Michael's been practicing at home with his older brother John, who plays for the Crossroads football team.

"I think they helped me out a lot because I'm the only kid from the Pop Warner Vikings team to make it this far," Michael said.

As his big day on Sunday approaches, Michael said he's a little nervous for the competition, but excited about getting an opportunity most people will never have, to step on the same field as his NFL heroes.

"I'm excited because I never thought I was going to make it this far and this is a once in a lifetime thing," he said. "As a kid I never thought I would go there and step on the field, but now I am."