Addison Coy of Leesburg poses with the NFL Punt, Pass & Kick ball during the state competition last Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Coy was one of four competitors in his age group, to which he finished third overall. (Photos provided by Derek Coy)

INDIANAPOLIS – He’s not the biggest dude in his class, or even the block, but Addison Coy got to perform on Indiana’s biggest stage.

Coy was one of four lucky footballers to perform at Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday in the state finals of the NFL Punt, Pass & Kick competition. Coy and three others in the 6-7 age division competed in the three disciplines before the start of the Indianapolis Colts-Washington Redskins football game. The state finals was the third leg of the NFL-sponsored skills competition for children across America.

Coy, a seven-year-old from Leesburg, reached the state finals by competing at the local level in Syracuse in September, and advancing from the sectional level in Mishawaka in October. Coy won the sectional with a combined distance of 139 feet, which pushed him to the state level Sunday. Coy didn’t match his sectional distance – which takes the totality of distances and accuracy of his punt, pass and spot kick – at the state finals, only posting 109 feet.

Coy’s top distance wouldn’t have been close either way, as Ty B. (the NFL did not list competitor’s last names) was the state champion with a total distance of 160’11”, the fourth-best total in the United States. Ty will represent Indiana in the Colts jersey at the national finals later this month. Coy would up third in his age group.

“He had a blast,” stated Derek Coy, proud papa to Addison. “They put all of the kids on the big screen. He told me his favorite part was the halftime introductions.

“We practiced like crazy for it, and I think being at Lucas was just a little intimidating for him,” added dad. “He was ready. The kid who won it was really good. We’re just super thankful and blessed to have had the opportunity to do it.”

Coy’s day at Lucas Oil Stadium began at 7 a.m. with a short rules meeting, followed by a quick warm-up on the field. Competition began around 8:15 a.m. for the multiple age groups for 6-15 year-old boys and girls. Following the competition, parents were allowed on the field for photos while totals were tabulated, and awards started shortly after 10 a.m.

Former Indianapolis Colts safety Mike Prior also spoke with the group, and the grand finale had the competitors introduced to the crowd at halftime of the game, to which each competitor was given two tickets to see the Colts whip the Redskins 49-27.

There was only one thing that could have been better about the whole experience, according to Addison.

“He loved the overall experience, but said he wished it would have been in Chicago,” laughed Derek, a proud Chicagoan and Bears fan, to which Addison has joined the ranks. “He still loves his Play 60 Colts jersey they gave him.”