Football old-timers may remember the story.

During the 1970s Garo Yepremian, of Armenia descent, was a kicker for the Detroit Lions. He had never seen a professional football game before he suited up with the Lions. In his first game, he kicked a last-second game-winning extra point. As he ran off the field with his arms raised in triumph, teammate Alex Karras asked him what he was celebrating. To which Yepremian replied, “I keek a touchdown.”

To be certain, Montoursville graduate and current Lycoming College kicker Ian Plankenhorn has never ‘keeked a touchdown.’ Still, his talented right foot has been instrumental in leading the Warriors to their most successful season since 2014. Through the season’s first nine games, Plankenhorn has given the Warriors a potent kicking game. The 5’10, 165-pound sophomore has booted a perfect 24-24 on extra points while adding 11 field goals in 15 tries, including a 44-yarder against Wilkes that proved to be the difference in a 30-27 Lyco win. These achievements have twice earned him Middle Atlantic Conference Player of the Week honors.

Perfection is a Plankenhorn trademark. As a senior at Montoursville, he was 8-8 on field goal attempts (one from 47 yards) while splitting the uprights on all 33 of his extra-point attempts. Those eye-popping numbers earned the soft-spoken booter All-State honors.

Active during his high school days while participating in soccer, track & field, racing mountain bikes, ice hockey, snowboarding, and skiing, the thought of playing college football was a bit of an afterthought for Plankenhorn.

“I hadn’t given much thought to college football until after the Loyalsock game during my senior year. Coach Wiser reached out to me, and that made me realize that I might be able to do this at the next level. Lycoming College made sense for a variety of reasons. It was close to home, it saved some money, and my mom went here. Those were big factors. Also, the coaches were like family, very welcoming and inviting, and the atmosphere seemed great.”

Asked about differences in kicking a soccer ball and a football, his answer was a bit simplistic. “Not much, other than the shape of the ball. From my perspective, there isn’t much of a difference. There are little tweaks here and there, but I kick the football similar to a soccer ball.”

One of 104 players on the Lycoming squad, the kicker’s role can be somewhat of a lonely one.

“I’ve got a punter to hang out with me (Michael Coe), but if I were the only kicker here, yes, it would be a bit lonely. When practice begins, we stretch with the team, play some catch, and do some dry kicking drills to work on our technique. Then we wait around until we are called for the punting, field goal, and extra point segment of the practice. That is really important for me because the three of us (holder Hunter Shearer and snapper Kevin Gianoni) need the time to work together.

“I’m enjoying it here. Surprisingly, from the first day I got here, the players accepted me quite well. They do bust on me a little bit for not doing much during practice, but they accept the fact that I do contribute to the team in some way. They are thankful for that part, and as long as I keep making the kicks, I think they will be very happy.

“I’m motivated by being reliable to the team. That is important to me. I’m not looking to get any self-accolades. Personal achievements are nice and all, but contributing to the team is most important. As long as we are winning, I’m happy, whether or not I kick tons of field goals or extra points.”

Plankenhorn described what it is like when called upon to kick.

“The first thing that goes through my mind is counting the yard markers to make sure that I am seven yards back from the line of scrimmage. Being seven yards back, there is no way the defense can get to the ball from around the edge. When we are set up, I take a deep breath and make sure that Hunter is down there with the spot. Then I take my normal consistent steps back and over. Whenever Hunter’s hand move is when I approach the ball.”

When asked if kicking the ball when the laces may be facing him was a distraction, Plankenhorn had a startling admission.

“I don’t necessarily notice until afterward because Hunter will tell me. This is bad, but I close my eyes when I actually kick it. I can’t tell you looking at it, but I can feel it. It’s weird. I remember everything running out onto the field. When the snap is on the way, I don’t remember when I run towards the ball until the time I kick it. I think my eyes close sometimes around when I plant and swing through it. I remember everything afterward, though.

“I would love to be here to win the MAC. I would love to get a ring with this team. Kicking a game-winner would be awesome. Down the road, as we progress, I would love to be on that wall in the basement as an All-American.”

Asked about hobbies, Plankenhorn was quick to reply, “golf.”

“I haven’t told Coach Clark this, but I would love to be on the golf team here. Not sure if he would let me, but since it’s in the spring, I’m hoping that would work. I still enjoy snowboarding and hanging out with these guys.”

The son of Denise and Chris Plankenhorn, Ian welcomes the dream of someday kicking professionally. Academically, he is an actuarial science major with a minor in quantitative economics and plans on becoming an actuarial accountant following graduation.