The football makes a distinctive thud when Kyle Rhonehouse strikes it dead-square with his right foot, often traveling more than 50 yards through the air.

More often than the not, Rhonehouse has sent the ball sailing through the middle of the uprights.

Rhonehouse is Springfield's special specialist.

The Blue Devils' senior placekicker has already booted his way onto the school's all-time record chart, connecting on a 53-yard field goal to set a program record in Week 2 against Bowsher.

Rhonehouse, who has been Springfield's kicker for the last three seasons, also holds the school's career record for the most points by a kicker (153) and most made field goals (19).

“Kyle is that rare breed of athlete that is extremely focused and dedicated to his craft,” Springfield coach Pat Gucciardo said. “As soon we cross the 35-yard line we know we can get three points out of it. What a weapon that is in high school football.”

WATCH: Kicking it with Springfield’s Kyle Rhonehouse 

In his career, Rhonehouse also has converted on 91 of 98 point-after attempts, including 25 of 26 this season. He earned second-team All-Ohio and first-team All-Northern Lakes League honors as both a sophomore and junior.

“Technique is a big thing,” Rhonehouse said. “My technique from freshman year until now has improved tremendously. Leg strength is something that comes natural but you can work for it, too, in the weight room. Flexibility is a big key too.”

The 6-foot-2 and 175-pound athlete does not look like a typical kicker and also plays wide receiver, quarterback, and safety.

“He works in on different packages,” Gucciardo said. “He already has a couple of catches on the year and he's already thrown one touchdown pass. We put him in our nickel packages because he is so athletic.”

Rhonehouse, who also is a standout pitcher and first baseman on the Blue Devils baseball team, thrives on competition. He earned second-team All-NLL honors as a first baseman last spring.

He also has nailed a 47-yard field goal this fall and is 3-for-4 on the year. Last season, Rhonehouse twice made 47-yard field goals, and he said his longest field goal in practice came from 62 yards out.

Rhonehouse, who said he kicks year-round, also holds the school record for most touchbacks with 51.

“In the winter we kick in the bigger domes so that we can see ball flight. I work non-stop to keep my craft going the way I want it to be,” he said.

Rhonehouse's 53-yard bomb broke the Springfield record set by former University of Toledo great Todd France, who drilled one from 50 yards in 1996. France went on to kick in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles.

“He's here before and after practice kicking. We have special times where he works throughout practice,” Gucciardo said. “Besides his work ethic, his leg strength and accuracy is truly a gift. He's a great kid. I love having him around. He's very positive and a good role model.”

Rhonehouse said he tried out as a kicker for Springfield's eighth-grade team.

“It was whoever could kick the ball and we all did it and I kind of found out I was not too bad at it,” Rhonehouse said. “I played soccer my whole life, so kicking came natural. Once I started practicing, I really started to enjoy it.”

Rhonehouse said he has met some of his best friends by attending kicking camps over the years.

“I've met a lot of other great specialists,” he said. “That has helped me improve my kicking.”

Rhonehouse said he is able to get a good gauge on what his range will be during pregame warmups on Friday nights.

“Most days I'm sitting around 55 yards and I feel comfortable there,” he said.

He said he does not currently have any college offers. But he plans to take an official visit to Miami (Ohio) this weekend and has planned visits for Central Michigan and Duquesne University

Rhonehouse, who carries a 4.0 grade-point average, said he plans to major in mechanical engineering or in computers.

“He has the whole package,” Gucciardo said. “I think he's going to be a great kicker on Saturday afternoons.”

Contact Mark Monroe at mmonroe@theblade.com, 419-724-6354, or on Twitter @MonroeBlade.

First Published September 27, 2018, 2:24 p.m.