Facing a fourth-and-long while backed up against his own end zone, Lyons Township (LaGrange, IL) football coach Jon Beutjer sent out his placekicker for a 104-yard field goal attempt in the IHSA Class 8A high school football playoffs second-round against Bolingbrook (IL).
Yes, you read that right: a 104-yard field goal attempt.
Of course, the kicker came nowhere near making the field goal. The video, which was shared by the Daily Herald, went viral online during the 8A second-round matchup on Saturday, Oct. 7.
The kicker lined up for the kick several yards in the end zone and got off a kick that reached about the 25-yard line. It turns out, this was a common practice all season for Beutjer
and the Lions.
Got to love a 104-yard FG attempt. (Lyons does this instead of punting) pic.twitter.com/kDGnhuE06k
— Daily Herald Preps (@dhpreps) November 8, 2026
While a kick like that in college or the NFL would have resulted in the opposing team taking over at the original line of scrimmage, that is not the case in high school football.
NFHS field goal rules
Instead of the opposing Bolingbrook Raiders starting their next drive with a first-and-goal, they started the drive where the ball landed.
That's because of the NFHS rule that treats field goals like a punt when it comes to possessions. So, if a field goal attempt goes out of bounds in the field of play, the receiving team takes over at the spot the ball went out. If it reaches the end zone, it's a touchback and the ball comes out to the 20-yard line.
It's a rule that Fort Payne (AL) coach Chris Elmore took advantage of when he coached current Auburn kicker Alex McPherson.
On Oct. 8, 2021, McPherson was allowed to attempt a 70-yard field goal against Southside (AL). The kick was short, but went out of the end zone, resulting in a touchback.
"It was guts or stupidity," Elmore said. "The thing in high school is, if he doesn't make it, it's probably going in the end zone anyway, and they get the ball at the 20. Obviously, you don't try that in college, or they get the ball at the 50. I knew it was a little out of his range, but I thought it was worth a shot."
Boilingbrook went on to defeat Lyons 22-14 to advance to the quarterfinals.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Illinois high school football team attempts 104-yard field goal in rule loophole
