Women playing football. It’s not totally unheard of. Every so often, a young lady makes headlines by making her local football team. Most of the time, it’s as a placekicker. Soccer has helped forge some strong and accurate legs, both for males and females alike, and it’s not terribly uncommon for a few ladies a year to give placekicking a try.
While I had heard of this in the past, I had never seen it myself. Until Friday, Sept. 25th of this year. I was on the sidelines at the Coffee / Effingham County game, in my usual spot taking pictures. Effingham, rather surprisingly, scored first. When the Rebels’ extra point unit came onto the field, someone standing next to me – I forget whom – said, “You know, their field goal kicker is a girl.”
I did not know that. I had no reason to even consider such. When I looked on the field, nothing about the way #21, who I later found out was McKenzie Stewart, carried herself telegraphed that she was, well, a “she”. When Stewart lined up for her kick, I could see that a long, braided ponytail hung from under her helmet. I had seen long hair on football players. Dreads aren’t uncommon at all. But mid-back braided ponytails are. When the center sent the ball to her holder, Stewart approached flawlessly and drilled the extra point to give the Rebels a 7-0 lead.
In the second half, she had another opportunity to show her skills. Late in the fourth quarter, Coffee had a 20-7 advantage. The Rebels scored on a six-yard run with 2:46 left in the game to get within seven. Stewart ran back onto the field for another point-after. For those who are familiar with Jardine Stadium, she was kicking into the north end zone, the end of the field where the Coffee fieldhouse sits. She drained the kick again, this time sending the ball through the uprights and over the Trojan fieldhouse. Stewart is accurate, precise, and surprisingly strong.
I attempted to look up more information on Stewart. I couldn’t find a lot and was unable to find any season statistics. I do know that she was two-for-two on extra points against Coffee on that September night. Earlier in the year, she drained a 28-yard field goal against Bluffton, South Carolina. It’s clear that Stewart isn’t a novelty – she’s a valued, important, and talented member of the Rebels’ squad.
I did a little more research – which consisted mostly of checking Wikipedia – and I discovered that a surprising number of females have played football at the high school, college, and professional level. Most have been kickers, but there have been a few who played other positions, including quarterback, wide receiver, running back, linebacker, and on the line.
I have been accused of being a retro-grouch, and with good reason. I don’t like change. I resist as much as possible. However, I’ve always said that if women are good enough to make the team, and they can handle the punishment that comes with playing football, they should be allowed to play. I don’t have a problem with it at all.
It’s clear that McKenzie Stewart is tough enough. She is making a solid contribution each and every Friday night at the varsity level. I wonder how long it will be before a female in our area does the same.
South Georgia / November 2015
Column
Football: The newest athletic frontier for women?
By Robert Preston Jr.
