Q/A – Corbin’s Saxon Okuma

 Corbin senior Saxon Okuma brings more to the football field than his desire to play linebacker on defense, he also loves kicking whether it is the kickoff to open the game or sending an extra point or a field goal through the uprights.

In two seasons kicking for the Redhounds Okuma has 61 extra points and six field goals. His longest field goal came earlier this season when he booted a 40-yarder against the North Laurel Jaguars. “That has to be one of the highlights of my career,” Okuma said during a recent one-on-one interview.

An old schooler, Okuma plays on defense for the Redhounds and believes defense wins championships. “I would like to believe that defense wins championships, but you also have to have a good offense to get you some points. You don’t get as many opportunities to score on defense as you do offense. But, I prefer the defense,” said Okuma.

When he is not around football, like most teenagers, Okuma likes video games and playing the x-box with his friends. “I like to chill out and hang out with some of my friends and play x-box,” he said.

“We like to get together and have a big (John) Madden tournament,” Okuma said.

Okuma didn’t have a quick response to his favorite movie, “but it would probably be The Last Samurai. Plus, I am a huge Star Wars fan, I really like those movies.”

Saxon comes from a big family; he has three sisters and a brother. Shaylla Shelton, Madison and Bailey Okuma and a brother Slater Storm. His parents are Aprill Shelton and Jonathan Okuma.

Okuma carries a 3.0 gpa at Corbin High School where he enjoys history and English. His favorites teachers are Miss Moore and always-loveable coach Crawford. “He is the most interesting teacher, you will learn so much from him because he keeps your attention the whole time,” said Okuma.

Below are some questions and answers about his football career with the Redhounds.

N-J: What are your goals?

Okuma: I want to get a scholarship kicking.

NJ: What position do you like the most on the football team:

Okuma: “I like playing middle linebacker the most because I can get into the game, but I really do enjoy kicking.

NJ: What have been some of the highlights in your career at Corbin.

Okuma: Making that 40-yard against North Laurel is probably by biggest. Another was kicking my first field goal last year against Danville in the Pigskin Classic.

NJ: When did you start playing football and kicking?

Okuma: I started kicking my sophomore year, but I was a back up. I started kicking regular during my junior year.

N-J: What made you want to start kicking?

Okuma: I played soccer for like 13 years and when I started playing football the coaches asked me if I could kick. My freshman year I was horrible and my sophomore year I talked with my uncle Brian Metzger who used to kick for Corbin. He worked with me and I began getting a little better and a little better.

N-J: Did you give up soccer for football?

Okuma: Pretty much, I played both until my freshman year then I chose football. I had played football since the third grade.

N-J: What made you pick football over soccer?

Okuma: Mainly because that’s what all of my friends were doing. I wanted to stay with my buddies and I really enjoyed football.

N-J: Is there anyone you look up to that kicks?

Okuma: My favorite kicker is Adam Vinatieri, that’s because he plays for my favorite team, the Colts. The kicker I look to for form and style is David Akers of the Eagles. He is probably one of the best for form and technique.

N-J: Who has been a big influence on your career?

Okuma: My parents, they have put a lot into sending me to camps.

N-J: What’s it like playing for Coach Steve Jewell?

Okuma: It’s really interesting, he is a great coach, he really knows what he is doing and he will push you. He pushes us everyday, especially the linebackers. He probably pushes us more than anyone because he tells us that we are the tone setters for the game.

Coach comments: “Pound for pound he is the strongest player on the team. He had a really good season last year and has adjusted to some changes we made this year. He has good quickness to the ball. He does a super job kicking and is probably one of the best kickers in Southeastern Kentucky. We try to use him more and more with his confidence and accuracy.”

—Steve Jewell