Position: Center

Karissa

Q: Who is your favorite football player and/or team?

A: New England Patriots and Kennebunk Rams

Q: What is the biggest challenge you have faced on the football field and how did you overcome it?

A: Hearing girls can’t play football.  I overcame it by having an awesome coach my seventh and eighth grade year. He believed in me and pushed me to do my best & gave me courage to keep going!   Freshman JV has come with its own challenge such as locker room issues.  After being inspired by my boss who is a former KBK coach and DQ owner, I went to Mr. Bush, who is an assistant varsity coach and received full support!  I asked the athletic director if they could order me female football pads and they did!

Q: What advice would you give a new player that you have learned from your experience playing football?

A: Don’t be afraid to talk to your team and ask coaches questions!

Emma

Q: Who is your favorite football player and/or team?

A: My favorite football player is Julian Edelman and my favorite football team is the Patriots.

Q: What is the biggest challenge you have faced on the football field and how did you overcome it?

A: The biggest challenge I have faced on the football field is validation.  I used to struggle with feeling good enough to be on the field with the guys. There are times when the game is finished, and some boys just don’t high five me or say good game.  That feeling is never good.  Throughout my 12 years of playing this wonderful sport, I have learned that the reason people do those things are because they are jealous of you.  If you are on the field, then you are out there for a reason.  You have worked just as hard, if not harder to get to the point where you are starting and playing over others.  I always have to remember that there will be negative thins said or done but the positive out ways the negative.   Your team will always have your back no matter what.  I will forever have so many brothers that I can go to whenever I need something, and your brothers will do the exact same thing for you.

Q: What advice would you give a new player that you have learned from your experience playing football?

A: The advice I would give to a new football player is to just go for it.  The quote that I have always lived by is “Believe in yourself and there will come a day when others will have no choice but to believe with you”.  This quote is one of the more important things to remember because, as long as you are doing what you love and believing in yourself there will be a time where others will see how bright you shine and believe in you too.  Being a part of a football team is much bigger than just winning.  You learn what it is like to work together and have trust in not only yourself but in your teammates.  You feel more motivated and empowered to achieve certain goals.  Football is a safe space, and it is a chance to let go of all your troubles and feel free.  If you are thinking about playing football, just try out because, I promise you, you won’t regret taking a leap of faith.  You never want to grow up and wonder what if?

Kelsey

Q: Who is your favorite football player and/or team?

A: Mahomes and the Chiefs

Q: What is the biggest challenge you have faced on the football field and how did you overcome it?

A: Keeping my head up when tackling.   I’m still working on it bit I have gotten better.

Q: What advice would you give a new player that you have learned from your experience playing football?

A: Being a girl on a team of boys is hard with all the discouragement and anxiety, but it is going to get better.  None of the guys wanted me on the team and I almost gave up but I didn’t.  I kept pushing through because I love the sport and now my team loves me.

Virginia

Q: Who is your favorite football player and/or team?

A:  Steelers

Q: What is the biggest challenge you have faced on the football field and how did you overcome it?

A:  Not having enough players to fill a team last year.  I was disappointed but continued to practice so I can play next year.

Q: What advice would you give a new player that you have learned from your experience playing football?

A: Practice as much as you can.

Shandra Rubchinuk

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