The Dowagiac football team was in need of a placekicker two games into the 2014 season.

So Chieftain coach Mike Stanger knew where to look — the Dowagiac soccer team.

Soccer players splitting time with the football program is not a new concept at Dowagiac.

Jorge Ruiz, who has been enjoying a successful soccer season, was asked to handle kickoffs and field goals for Dowagiac the remainder of this season.

His first game was last Friday night on the road against Otsego and Ruiz made an immediate impact.

“Jorge has brought consistency to our kicking game,” Stanger said. “His kickoffs were inside the 10-yard line, which helped our coverage and the option for a field goal takes some pressure off of our offense.”

Ruiz said he was nervous about his first kick, but after that he didn’t feel any pressure.

Chieftain soccer coach Mike Williams wasn’t surprised that Ruiz was successful on the gridiron.

“Jorge is a talented athlete,” he said. “Jorge asked in the summer about the possibility of kicking. I am always receptive about allowing athletes opportunities such as this whenever possible.

“I have had several players that have kicked for our football team that have had no conflict with our practice and games. I know Jorge will be a positive addition to the kicking portion of our football team.”

“I couldn’t go to the summer stuff because I had to work,” Ruiz said. “The second week of school I heard they needed a kicker, so I went out and did a good job and I liked it. I like being on the football team.”

Williams said he is not concerned about kicking affecting his shot on the pitch.

“I do not feel that kicking is going to hurt his soccer game,” he said. “The only difference in the field goal kick and a soccer shot is the placement of the feet. Jorge takes our direct kicks/goal kicks that are similar to a kickoff in football.

“In the end, it is just kicking with a different ball and Jorge is capable of making the adjustments needed. He scored two goals on Monday following his first football game against Otsego.”

Ruiz agreed.

“It is pretty much the same,” he said. “It is all about the form. It won’t affect me in either sport.”

Ruiz kicks on Tuesday and Thursday for the football team before heading to soccer practice.