Alexander Thompson launches a football during the passing round of the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition on Saturday at First United Methodist Church. Thompson won the 14-and 15-year-old age group.

It was a taste of the pros this weekend as the First United Methodist Church and Lawrence Youth Football held the NFL’s Punt, Pass and Kick competition Saturday on the sports field of the church’s west campus.

The event drew 13 participants ages 8-15 for three rounds of competition, with the winners in four groups getting the chance to move on to a regional event and ultimately the finals.

The turnout and good weather helped things go smoothly.

“I felt that it was a success,” event director Keith Ely said. “We had a lot of new faces, and I think the kids really had a good time.”

It was the second time the competition had been held at the First Methodist Church, and Ely said there were plans for a third competition next year.

The competition’s winners got there with a combined score from all three events. Hunter Caughron – who also quarterbacks the Lawrence Youth Football Chops – won the 8- and 9-year-old age group with a total score of 163 feet, 8 inches. Caughron took the top spot in last year’s competition.

Blake Peterson of Topeka won the 11-year-old group, while Lawrence residents Anthony Buffalomeat and Alexander Thompson also were winners.

Buffalomeat was victorious with a 343-4 effort, while Thompson moved on to the regionals with an even 348.

The winners will move on to a regional version of the event Nov. 10 at Bonner Springs High.