Cornaga on the fast track to becoming an NFL pro

Former Wanganui High School student Cullen Cornaga would love a professional NFL career, having competed well for his Californian high school in the town of Lodi this season. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Some Wanganui teenagers grow up dreaming of slotting that winning All Whites goal or barging over for an All Black try, but for Cullen Cornaga it is all about the gridiron end-zone.

The 15-year-old former Wanganui High School student, who competed in hurdles and rugby here, has just finished his second aka sophomore year at Tokay High School in California, where he is a key player on the school football team.

Cornaga went back to live in the town of Lodi in California with his mother last year and is now working towards the obtainable dream of becoming a New Zealander playing in the National Football League (NFL).

His proud New Zealand-based father Mark Cornaga said his son had a great high school season at Tokay, as the team enjoyed a winning 8-2 season.

"Cullen plays on both offence and defence and is the team's specialist kicker."

As American football teams can consist of many "squads" inside the one unit, Mark Cornaga said his son is a "slot receiver" on offence, which involves receiving the ball from the quarterback near the line of scrimmage to make short runs forward bursts amongst tacklers like a flanker would in rugby.

For the defence, Cornaga is a defensive back, similar to a rugby fullback.

"As in the NFL, teams have specialist positions and [defensive back] is where Cullen excelled," said Mark Cornaga.

His son would take the one-point conversions after touchdowns and scored 27 of them this season, including a perfect seven from seven attempts in one game.

"Like the pro teams, they are big on statistics and watch a lot of game video," said Mark Cornaga.

In total, Cornaga scored 33 points for the season, including the 27 kicking points, while making 10 tackles and two field goals one a 42 yard effort and the other from 32 yards out.

He also made one interception and created three "touch backs" where the ball goes into the opposition end-zone and they cannot advance it, so the kicking team gets possession back.

Mark Cornaga said his son's goal now is to get a "full ride" scholarship ie all expenses paid to an NCAA Division 1 University.

"His favourite college team is UC Berkeley the California Golden Bears and has attended some of their games and would love to attend this prestigious university, " said Cornaga senior, who went to the University of San Francisco in the 1990s.

The younger Cornaga grew up loving American football and is a fan of the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL.

"He can tell you about all the teams in the NFL, name over 200 players and what position and team they play on. Has always watched games on ESPN."

The family had previously lived in the States in 2003-2004.