To start things off, yes I am a girl and yes I play football. I don't think I'm any different than a guy playing football.  "According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, 1,561 girls played football last season. That constitutes a 17.5 percent increase from just four years ago, when  1,328 girls participated." (Gutmann, H.) "This year, there are 1,964 girls playing football, the second-highest mark ever recorded and more than double the number of participants seen just seven years ago." (Gaines, C.)

        To start off my season, I went to open practices in the spring. They were awkward. The guys have never played with a girl, so some drills both the guys and I weren't quite sure how to go about them. The first spring practice, I jammed one of my fingers. I almost quit then, but something inside of me told me to not give up. I'm glad I didn't.

        Next up, I went to heat acclimation. Heat acclimation was tough. Every day we learned new plays, did drills, and did hard conditioning. After heat acclimation was football camp. Leading up to camp, I hadn't done any hitting, so I was scared. The first practice on the first day, we did a hitting drill. Once that practice ended, I told the coach I didn't want to play. Walking to lunch that day, one of the guys came up to me and said, "Nina why would you quit now? You've put in all this work and made it through heat acclimation. It would be a waste of your time if you just quit now." I felt great knowing one of the guys cared. When I told my mom I wanted to quit, and told me I had to finish out the day. I'm gratefully she made me finish out the day. Well my mom must have told the other football mom and some of the players, because the other football moms and my teammates encouraged me to keep playing. I was amazed by how many people supported me and wanted me to continue.

        Once camp concluded, the regular season started. Every Monday was a workout and film day and JV had a game. Every Tuesday and Wednesday we worked out, practiced, then conditioned. Thursday was a workout and walk through day. After practice on Thursday, we went and had a team dinner and a motivational talk. Friday was GAME DAY! Every new week brought a new opponent. Every week we continued to dominate. This season was a great way to start my football career. 

       I didn't get to play much, but I was okay with that. I loved walking on the field right next to the guys and watching the game right on the sidelines.

       Altogether, I played three minutes in JV and five minutes in Varsity. I find it funny that I got more Varsity time as a freshmen and this being my first year and being a girl. I've always dreamed of wearing a jersey on Friday. I never imagined I would be wearing my own jersey on Friday.

       Every week, I would hear a new remark from people at my games when people would see I was a girl playing football. I have heard "Whoa that's a girl." "Is that a girl?!" "Yes you go girl!" "Omg look that's a girl playing football" "Hey number 40 you are awesome." "You are my spirit animal." One person I knew said "You make sure the boys protect you out there!" That person had nothing to worry about.

        The boys have always nice to me. They have always included me and never discouraged me. At first things were awkward, but we got over it. The boys always make me laugh. Although I got annoyed by them at times, I do miss practices with them. Over the time we spent together in football, we have bonded together as a family. I feel football is the most bonded team/player sport. I have a brother sister relationship with my teammates.

       I was sad once the season concluded. However, it was a great season. My team went 11-1. We won the most games in Wellsboro history. Out of our eleven wins, seven of them were shutouts. I couldn't have asked for a better season or better team. I wouldn't trade my team for anything. 

     Through out football, I have met many other girls who play. I met a girl from Sayre, who this is her second year playing. We played Sayre week two, and ever week after that, I have talked to her and wished her good luck every Friday. When we played Muncy, I met two girls who played and another girl who is going to play next year. I have had a few girls come up to me and tell me they want to play next year. I am encouraging to them to play. However, I tell them the truth about it being hard but how it is so worth it. I hope these girls do and that they can experience football.  

      I am already preparing for this upcoming season. I go to our weight room after school when I can. I actually enjoy going to the weight room and lifting. I can't wait for our spring practices to start up soon. I also plan on going to a few clinics this summer for kicking, since I want to become a kicker. 

   To wrap things up, Football is my favorite sport. Yes, you have to work the hardest in football, but the outcome is worth it. There is no other sport that gives me the same feeling as I get when I run out onto the field Friday night. Football has taught me so many valuable lessons. No other sport I play has impacted me this much. This year was a great first year for me and I can't wait to continue playing next year.

PS. In the team photo I am number 40. The first one on the right the second row up.

Sources

Gaines, Cork. "The number of girls playing high school football is on the rise even though overall participation is down." Businessinsider. N.p., 3 Oct. 2016. Web. 14 Mar. 2017.

Gutmann, Harold. "Girls tackling football across the country." Espn. N.p., 20 Oct. 2011. Web. 14 Mar. 2017.