By Jerry Liptak
Staff Writer

Competitors at Neighborhood News’ annual NFL Pepsi Punt, Pass and Kick competition have a tough act to follow.

Last year, the Neighborhood’s Sam Winslow, 9, won the local competition, then the sectional event and made an appearance in the regional competition, following strong performances in early round action. In fact, he competed at Gillette Stadium prior to last year’s Monday Night Football game on Nov. 7.

This Saturday, Sept. 16, at Mountain View Middle School in Goffstown, 8- to 15-year-old athletes can try to punt, pass and kick their way to the home of the beloved New England Patriots ­ and beyond.

But it starts at MVMS at 9 a.m. Come out a bit early if you want to warm up. We’ll try, really try, to accommodate AYF and Pop Warner players who have to jet for practice.

The event is free. Just be sure to bring either a birth certificate or religious document, like a baptismal record, to the competition, or you won’t be allowed to take part.

Boys and girls compete separately, and age groups ­ 8- and 9-year-olds, 10- and 11-year-olds, 12- and 13-year-olds, and 14- and 15-year-olds ­ are determined based on the athlete’s age as of Dec. 31, 2006.

We’ll take care of measuring each attempt and passing out certificates of achievement to all entrants. We’ve got footballs and tees, too.

Don’t wear cleats to the competition. PP&K rules prohibit cleats. And please don’t forget a photocopy of your birth certificate.

If you have any last-minute questions, call me at 463-8034 at home, use my e-mail address, or visit nflyouthfoot ball.com for details.

I hope we’ll see you at Mountain View’s beautiful fields, located to the left of the school and down the hill. Just park up top and walk on down.