By Alexis Stuckey 

When the varsity football played Smoky Hill Sept. 7 for the Homecoming game, few in the stands knew that a girl was on the field.  Her name is Annika Edgington.

When did you join the Smoky Hill football team?
This year, as a junior.

Why did you decide to go out for football?
I told my friend I was interested in playing and he said you can’t because you’re a girl, so I went out to prove him wrong.

What’s your favorite part about playing football?
I love the challenges that are in football. All the sports I’ve played before have beens ones that I’ve grown up playing, so I knew everything about it. But it’s different with football. I’m still learning how the game works.

How is the team towards you?
I love how supportive the team is of me. The team is welcoming towards me.

Has playing on the team changed how you’re treated at school?
There are a lot of times at school when I’m wearing my jersey and some people look at me kind of confused, or they ask who I’m dating on the team. When I tell them that I play, usually they think it’s really cool. Of course, there’s always going to be people who don’t approve but there are way more supporters and people who are proud of me for sticking to my guns.

What is the biggest challenge of playing for you?
Not pressuring myself, I want to be perfect at everything, and takes every little downfall rough

How do you feel like you’ve done this season?
I didn’t get an opportunity to kick at all in the first game, so between 2 games I’ve been 14 for 14 on extra points and I’m 0 for 1 for field goals. I’m really pleased that I’m 100% on extra points, and of course I wish I would’ve made the field goal but I’m getting better every day.