When she was in sixth grade, Jessica Engler witnessed Madeline Hill become the first female to kick for Goodrich’s varsity football team.
This year, Engler, now a senior at Goodrich High School, became the third female to join that list. She converted an extra point in the Martians? 21-7 loss to Richmond Aug. 26.
Goodrich varsity football coach Tom Alward said Engler is the third female placekicker in the history of the Martians? program. The other two were Hill, who was on the team about five or six years ago, and Amanda Johnson, who was on the team about four years ago.
‘This has been a dream of hers since sixth grade,? said Sue Kidd, Engler’s mom. ‘She was watching Madeline Hill kick for the team, and she said, ‘Someday, that’s going to be me.? I’m not real surprised because she has been talking about it.?
Engler, 17, said she got the idea to try out for the varsity football team last year when she took part in powder puff football at Goodrich.
She said she practiced kicking every day during the summer, then approached assistant varsity football coach Brad Rainwater about trying out for the team.
That led to a tryout during the summer in front of Alward.
‘I talked to Coach Rainwater beforehand, then I went to Sunday practice and kicked for Coach Alward,? she said.
Engler, who also plays on the Goodrich varsity girls soccer team, said that team’s coach, Nigel Barnett also encouraged her to try out for the football team.
‘I talked to him about it and he said it would help me out with soccer, and it would be a good idea,? she said.
For his part, Barnett said the Martians? soccer program, both boys and girls, has been a good resource for the football program when they are looking for placekickers.
‘From my point of view, it can only be a good thing for her,? Barnett said. ‘She definitely has the foot for it. She’s just an all-around good kid ? I think she’ll acquit herself very well.?
Kidd said the fact Engler has played soccer for 12 years helps her cause, especially in terms of accuracy on field goal and extra point attempts.
So far, Engler said she has received nothing but support from teammates ? ‘the guys are helping me out and encouraging me? ? as well as her family and friends. Engler is the daughter of Sue and Dave Kidd of Goodrich, and has one younger sister, Amanda, 15.
‘They’re really excited,? she said. ‘They say they’re going to come to the game and cheer me on.?
Kidd said her biggest concern was how her daughter would be treated by the rest of the Martians, but that has not been an issue.
‘She’s having a great time,? she said. ‘The guys have been great and real supportive, and they’ve made her feel like a part of the team.?
Engler admitted it’s a little different playing in front of crowds at football stadiums as opposed to soccer fields.
‘At first, I was really nervous, and you have to get used to it,? she said. ‘I remember last Friday (against Richmond) I was really nervous and almost forgot to put my mouthguard in.?
As far as goals for the rest of the season are concerned, Engler said she wants to ‘just make the extra points and field goals that they want me to attempt, and learn as much as I can.?