Before heading off to the University of Alabama, Cade Foster ('09) was a 4 year starter at Kicker and MLB for the Dragons
Originally Printed in Dragon Pride IV - Fall 2009
When speaking about Dragon football the drive to succeedbrruns just as deep as the school's talent pool. On a team of such storied success,brworking your way through the depth charts and onto the starting lineup is quitebran impressive accomplishment. Even more impressive, a career as a four yearbrstarter and at two distinctly different positions takes immense talent,brdedication and a lot of hard work. Dragon kicker and middle linebacker CadebrFoster is a very rare blend of them all and 2009 is his year to shine.
Hard to believe, but standing tall at 6'-2” and 220 pounds,brCade Foster's expertise, is in kicking. With 276 total points through hisbrjunior year, he will go down as the highest scoring kicker in the school'sbrhistory if not the state's. Not bad,brconsidering the Dragon lineage includes current NFL kickers Kris Brown of thebrHouston Texans and Garret Hartley of the New Orleans Saints.
Harder to believe- Cade never kicked a football until hisbrfamily; father Dan, mother Kelly and sister Riley, moved to Southlake when he wasbrjust in the 8th grade.
Dan Foster, an Orthopedic surgeon settled his practice in nearbybrBedford after marrying his wife Kelly, a child life director at a Dayton, Ohiobrhospital. Upon relocating to Texas, they made their home in Fort Worth for 23bryears during which time their children attended private school. Riley, their oldest, excelled at field hockeybrwhile attending Trinity Valley and accepted a scholarship to play at the Universitybrof North Carolina where she has been a four year starter. As a sophomore, shebrwas instrumental in the Tarheel's national championship season of 2007.
Cade, focused on soccer and “He played baseball too,” saysbrDan, “but he was too easily bored and preferred the constant motion of thebrsoccer field.” He started playing soccer at the age of four and really enjoyedbrit. By the age of ten he gave up baseball completely so he could play in selectbrsoccer leagues throughout the year. Cade was never the fastest player on hisbrteams but he learned to use his size to his advantage.
Cade's desire to play football began to grow steadily. He wanted to play the game in which his GrandfatherbrHerman- an offensive lineman, and his father- a defensive back, enjoyed muchbrsuccess. Both won a state championship,br1946 and 1970 respectively, and then went on to play in the collegiate ranks.brThe desire became so strong that the family packed up their home in Fort Worthbrand moved into Southlake. Besides the stellar CISD programs, the proximity tobrDFW would allow the family an easier commute to Riley's games at UNC.
On the first day of football practice in 8thgrade (2005) he and some friends were fooling around on the field at CarrollbrMiddle School when Cade attempted his first field goal. Emulating the stance hebrhad seen so often on television, he took and made his very first attempt. Thenbranother and another until he caught the eye of the CMS coach Aaron Lineweaverbrwho said the decision to make him CMS’ starting kicker that year was a, “nobrbrainer.” Even then, it was obvious his soccer experience at the fullbackbrposition fit him well as Cade went on to make 46 of 48 PATs (point after TDs).brIt was obvious, especially to the coaching staff that Cade already was abrvarsity caliber talent. In 2006 he took over varsity kicking duties as abrfreshman, was promptly named 1st team all district and extended thebrfamily’s state championship streak to three generations with a 43- 29 victorybrover Austin Westlake.
In a way, Cade maintains most of the responsibilities he hadbras a soccer player. He still booms the ball with 50 yard range and he still protects the goalbrline. Only difference is he does so frombrtwo distinctly different positions. Cade admits, “Having to change mental focusbris the hardest part,” of playing on both sides of the ball. As the Dragon’s leadingbrtackler last year (76) Cade must quickly read and react to the opposition’sbrschemes and always be ready to make the big hit. On the contrary, kicking requiresbra slower focus and flawless execution of his regimen. Along with snapper J.J.brDrusher and holder Derek Rutten they work continuously in the off-season to,br“get the timing down,.”
Working with his “kicking team” is just a small part of thisbrDragon's summer workout regimen. Dan Foster says of his son, “From hisbrafternoon workouts to stretching and even his sleep habits, Cade is incrediblybrdedicated and disciplined. All Southlake kids know what it takes and they allbrpush each other.”
The making of a Dragon:brCade's Summer Vacation
Dragons definitely know what it takes to be the best. Cadebrhas to bring that same level of preparation into all of his specific training tobrbe the best kicker and middle linebacker he can be. Giving that extra effort meansbrhe keeps going when others are calling it quits. This effort was not lost onbrNick Saban, the head coach at the University of Alabama. In February, Sabanbrpersonally offered Cade a full scholarship to be Alabama's kicker of the future. After visiting the campus in March andbrexploring all of the facilities with his family they knew it was, “a perfectbrfit.” Cade committed to the University of Alabama on April 27th. Supportivebrmom Kelly says, “Alabama is close to home and still has a Texas feel.” On verballybraccepting the scholarship Cade says, “It will be a great place to play, theybrhave an awesome fan base and I’ll immediately have a chance to compete for abrstarting role.”
Even with a solid verbal agreement to attend the Universitybrof Alabama, Cade has not taken his summer vacation lightly. Instead of enjoyingbrthe beach and fishing in Playa del Carmen, a family favorite vacationbrdestination, Cade traveled to California to attend the prestigious Chris SailerbrTop 12 Kicking Camp. It was there that he spent time as one of a dozen of the nation'sbrpremiere high school kickers. They received the camp's top tier coaching thatbrboasts alumni that represents a who's who of professional kickers. Chris Sailerbrwidely respected as one of the top kicking and punting coaches in the worldbrsays, "Cade is onebrof the most talented kickers that we have seen in years. He has everything youbrlook for in a potential collegiate star. He's a tremendous young man with greatbrwork ethic, mental toughness, and attitude. He has more potential than anyonebrin the nation.”
Whilebrhe was home, he hit the gym- early and often. Attending the daily PerformancebrCourse with his teammates he worked diligently on his speed, agility andbrconditioning. The results, a 4.6 sec 40 yard dash and a defensive back like 34.5brinch vertical leap (thanks Dad).brAfter his morning workouts he would return home for some much deserved rest.brMaybe he’d read a book from the HarrybrPotter series, catch some television or play some sand volleyball withbrfriends. He would definitely take in abrbig breakfast, some facebooking and abrpower nap.
Laterbreach day, Cade would take in the aforementioned kicking drills before he wouldbrhead to the weight room for what is affectionately known as “Second Lift”. Benchingbr370 pounds and squatting 525 pounds, Cade's abilities in the weight room arebrsimilar to or exceed those of just about every player on the team. His workbrethic was proven each and every day as he lifted to exhaustion.
Not just an all-star example of braun, Cade also has thebrbrains to make the grade in the classroom. In addition to stepping up hisbrphysical preparation this past summer, he also found time for academics. Cade isbra member of National Honor Society and takes advanced placement courses. He enjoysbrlearning about history and dabbling in art and with a 96 GPA he's established abrstellar reputation in the classroom.
On the advice of past Dragon running back and current TexasbrLonghorn, Tre Newton, Cade took two classes at the Target Learning Center thisbrsummer in preparation to complete his high school diploma early. With English and Economics now under hisbrbelt, he will be able to graduate early and enroll at Alabama in January 2010.brThen he will begin preparing for spring football with his new Crimson Tidebrteammates. He hasn't decided on a major yet, but he is interested in Geology orbrpossibly following his parent's footsteps in to the medical field.
For those who didn't know of Cade Foster- considerbryourselves caught up.
Those who do know him best are quite impressed. “I expect big things frombrCade Foster,” says Chris Sailer, “He should have a great senior season." Head Coach Hal Wasson says, “Cadebris a great young man. He is a role model and leader with great intensity andbrpassion for the game. I can’t say enough good things about him. He is already abrsuccess.”