Joe Harakal just wants another chance to kick again in a big game.

The Roughies' senior place kicker began the season on a high note as he was getting his share of kicks to begin the season. But Catty hit a major pothole along the way and they finished this season with four consecutive losses.

"I started the season pretty well, but I don't know what happened. The team had lost some starters, and I didn't receive as many chances as I thought I would. It was frustrating, but I understood what we were going through."

Harakal hit three field goals in the early part of the season, but then his production fell due to the team's lack of experience.

"I was happy to get the chance," said Harakal, who converted three field goals in the Thanksgiving Day game last year. "This is my last game and I want to go with a good one. We have all been working hard. I know we will all be ready."

Thanksgiving will mark the end of an interesting high school career for Harakal, who was introduced to the game in his freshman year. Harakal immediately believed he could follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, Michael Bittner, after playing soccer since he was five.

"They (football team) recruited me in my freshman year," said Harakal. "I had never kicked a football before, but I really thought this was cool. I had some challenges at first, but I also relied on the big kicks I had made in soccer.

"I soon realized what I needed to do."

Harakal also continued to play soccer during the football season. This past fall, he also experienced a frustrating season in soccer, as his team missed districts by one game.

"We thought we would get to districts this year," said Harakal about his senior soccer season. "It was also disappointing and frustrating. But we have a lot of younger kids coming back, and the soccer program should be in good shape."

The son of Jeffrey and Sandra, Harakal plans to study child psychology and secondary education either close to home or he has entertained the thought of attending Northwestern University. His father played football and basketball at Dieruff and his mother was a cheerleader.

Harakal would like to play soccer or football in college. However, he wants to finish his senior year with the Roughies on a high note.

"I'm looking forward to going to college," said Harakal. "I've been fortunate to have a good career being a kicker. It would be great to continue it. But now I have to concentrate on making some big kicks for us Thursday morning."