Around 50 hopefuls from throughout the Central Coast turned out Thursday to make an attempt to punt, pass and kick their way to NFL glory.

Santa Maria’s fourth annual NFL Punt, Pass and Kick Competition gave kids the opportunity to earn a shot at competing against youth for the chance to show off these essential football skills during half-time at a pro football game.

“It’s more of a fun thing for kids to come out and test their abilities and challenge themselves,” said Rudy Gutierrez, a spokesman for the Recreation and Parks Department.

Every year, roughly 4 million 8- to 15-year-olds from around the nation compete in their local Punt, Pass and Kick event in the hopes of being able to demonstrate these skills at a future NFL game in Indianapolis.

The winners of local competitions — their names weren’t immediately available Thursday night — will move on to sectional competitions. The top competitors at the sectional competitions make it to Indianapolis.

Established in 1961, the competition is the NFL’s oldest youth participation program.

In the four years that Santa Maria’s Recreation and Parks Department has taken part in the program, Central Coast youth have traditionally fared well in the national competition.

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Last year, Santa Barbara resident Jessica Escalante, 14, received the ultimate prize and got to show off her football prowess at an NFL game alongside winners from other regions.

On Thursday, she returned to Hagerman Sports Complex for another go-round.

All around Jessica, youth, divided into groups based on age, worked at three different punting, passing, and kicking stations.

Competition organizers meticulously measured the length of each child’s punt, pass or kick.

Dressed in a black, hooded sweatshirt, Jessica recalled her experience at the Colts game against the San Diego Chargers game in Indianapolis, a journey which began when her dad came across a newspaper advertisement about the Santa Maria Punt, Pass and Kick contest.

“It was one of the best experiences ever,” the former soccer player said.

The best part?

“Probably being on TV and in the stadium,” she said.

Friends and Santa Maria Trojan teammates Martin Arias and Mondo Masera, both 11, good-naturedly ribbed each other as they waited their turn to register.

Mondo had won his age group in last year’s local competition.

But, “he didn’t advance. He thought this was the only (competition level),” Martin said, laughing.

“OK, it’s really not that funny,” Mondo replied.

“Yeah it is. Maybe not for you, but for other people it is,” Martin shot back.

Both boys — who have dreams of one day being NFL players — said they felt confident that they would compete well.

However, in the end, they said the experience will be worth it no matter what happens.

“Cause you play football and it’s fun,” Martin said.

Natalie Ragus can be reached at 347-4580 or nragus@santamariatimes.com

September 19, 2008