After a successful Punt, Pass and Kick event at the local level, five Pasadena ISD students placed in the sectional competition winning them spots in the 2007 NFL Punt, Pass and Kick Houston Texans Team Championship.

Cristian Benavidez from L.F. Smith Elementary placed fifth in the 10/11 boys’ division, Marissa Longoria from Stuchbery Elementary placed first in the 8/9 girls’ division, Kera Chambers from Jackson placed fifth in the 12/13 girls’ division, JaQuinn Eaglin from Gardens Elementary placed fifth in the 8/9 boys’ division and Ashley Adams from Miller Intermediate placed fourth in the 14/15 girls’ division.

“These kids are literally competing against hundreds of other students their age in order to advance,” said Pasadena ISD’s assistant director of athletics Pam Tevis. “It’s remarkable.”

The Team Championship Competition will take place at 9 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 9 at the Houston Texans’ practice facility outside Reliant Stadium in Houston. The competition will be held prior to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Houston Texans game, which competitors will attend. A pre-game PP&K Exhibition and first place awards ceremony will occur inside the stadium.

In order to advance to the Team Championship Competition, students must finish in the top five of all sectional championships held throughout the area. Pasadena ISD became a sectional in the event six years ago, and Tevis said usually four to six students from the district qualify.

“When we have so many students who qualify to advance, it gives them a taste of what it’s like to be successful,” Tevis said. “Most of our PP&K winners continue their athletic pursuits through high school. It sets a great foundation for them.”

To advance to the next level, students must finish first in their age group. Their score will then be compared to all first place finishers throughout the country. If they are ranked in the top four, they advance to the National Championship to be held at an NFL Playoff game in January. Last year, Tyler Mathis from Fisher Elementary finished in the top four in the country during his appearance at the AFC championship game in New Orleans.

Tevis said one of this year’s highlights was introducing the winners of the sectional competition at a Pasadena ISD high school varsity football game. The winners were each presented with a medal and certificate from Pasadena ISD’s athletic director Dick Nance.

“It was really a great thing for the students and their parents,” Tevis said. “They were just beaming. The competition was very intense, and this is a huge honor for these students to advance to the next level. We wish each one of them luck.”