Several area youngsters recently competed in the local competition of the NFL Gatorade Punt, Pass & Kick (PP&K) program.

The NFL Gatorade Punt, Pass & Kick program is designed to create a lively and engaging forum for boys and girls ages 8-15 to compete separately against their peers in punting, passing and placekicking skills, according to the PP&K official web page.

"The National Football League wants every child to be given an equal opportunity to compete," according to the web page. "Therefore, there is no registration fee or purchase required for any participant to enter."

The Andalusia Department of Leisure Services conducted the local PP&K competition with several youngsters doing well at the event.

In the 8- and 9-year-old division, students from Andalusia Elementary School participated. In the boys' division, Deion Akins won first-place honors with a score of 124.15. Jamie Doulin was second with 108.23 points. C.P. Rogers was third with 107.08 points.

Ellie Pollock won the girls' division in the 8- and 9-year-old division with a score of 75.18 with Hayden Mullen in second with 54.13 points. Pollock's score also earned her a trip to sectionals where she finished third with a score of 75.

In the 10- and 11-year-old division, Jeffery Moore was the top point-getter among the boys with a 215.12 score for first-place honors. Brent Shiver was second with 190.09 points followed by Robbie Noland with 173.05 points.

Jessica Centner won the 10- and 11-year-old girls' division with a score of 117.18. Blanche Alverson was second with 108.18 points followed by Somer Moore with 95.15 points. Centner also placed first in her age group at sectionals with a score of 191.

Ladarrius McNeil won the 12- and 13-year-old boys' division with a score of 245.06. Reid Taylor was second with 233.16 followed by Jarvis Johnson with 221.15 points.

In the 12- and 13-year-old girls' division, Morgen Battey amassed 207.16 points for first-place honors at the local competition to advance to sectionals where she finished second with a score of 199. Holley Bass finished second at the local competition with a score of 199.29 followed by Ragen Griffin with 171.15 points.

In the 14- and 15-year-old boys' division, Antonio Evans scored 271.08 points for a first-place finish at the local competition. He also placed third at sectionals with a score of 243. DeAndre Wright finished second at the local competition with a score of 259.22 followed by Marquaus Byrd with 241.12 points.

In the 14- and 15-year-old girls' division, Alexandria Smith scored 138.11 points for first-place honors. She also placed second at sectionals with a score of 109. Brittany LeShae Fenton finished second at the local competition with a score of 137.12 followed by Theresa Davis with a score of 135.12.

Sectional winners who qualify advance to the team competition set to be held in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, Nov. 3.