By: Kaelie Kellner
“Girls can play any sport that guys can,” said Freshman football player Makayla Sutton.
Sutton is one of the two Freshman girls who tried out for the team this year. With only one year of experience at Goodrich Middle School, Sutton made the team and is taking on two important positions– quarterback and wide receiver.
Alexa Thompson is another member of the Freshman team. Thompson has casually played the game for four or five years with her friends during recess or after school but decided to take a risk and try out for Southeast’s team this year.
Sutton and Thompson’s peers appeared to be shocked when they found out that a couple of girls would be playing on the team. Their opinions changed when they saw the girls’ dedication and immediate improvement in speed, ability, and memorization of plays.
“It broadens what you think about us,” said Thompson.
Thompson’s teammates, coaches, and friends have been really supportive of her decision to play football. Since making the team, Thompson feels as if people now recognize her abilities as a player. She loves how accepting Southeast’s football team has been and has hopes to keep playing throughout high school.
“We want to win every game,” Sutton said proudly about the team’s goal for the season. After beating Norfolk 23-0 in their first game, the team showed commitment to their goal right away.
“We want to win in a proud way. And lose with dignity, if we do lose,” Thompson said confidently about her team.
These girls have taken on something huge in today’s sports world and have great potential as leaders in their football careers ahead.