By Alex Frazier
Olivia O’Neill felt a bit strange last Friday night standing with the rest of the Homecoming Court at Pennridge’s Poppy Yoder Field.
All the rest of the girls were decked out in their finery.
In contrast, O’Neill was wearing a football uniform complete with huge shoulder pads and muddy cleats.
But that didn’t put a crimp on her evening.
Especially when she was announced as the 2008 Homecoming Queen.
“A lot of people were excited a football player was on the court,” said O’Neill. “I was honored that I was queen, but it was funny I was in my football stuff. It was exciting to be the first one.”
It was somehow a fitting tribute to Pennridge’s first and only female placekicker. In the first half of Friday’s game against Hatboro-Horsham, she booted two extra points. In the second half, she cleared another through the uprights, but her fourth one was blocked.
When word got out around Pennridge High School earlier in the season that the football team was in urgent need of a placekicker, O’Neill answered the call.
“There were a couple of guys on the men’s soccer team that wanted to come out, but their coach was not letting them,” said coach Randy Cuthbert, “so we were looking everywhere for kickers. It’s kind of strange because the men’s soccer coach played soccer at Pennridge and kicked for the football team while he did it. Now he won’t let any of his guys do it.”
There was no doubt that O’Neill could kick a ball—but the one she was used to booting around was a soccer ball. For most of her life, O’Neill has been playing soccer. She will be the captain of the girls soccer team this spring. A four-year starter, she plays center or outside midfield. She also plays for the PA Rush, a club team out of Doylestown, and plans to run the 400 in winter track to get in shape for soccer.
“I’ve never been that into football, professionally or high school,” she said. “I’m so glad I got the opportunity to see what it’s all about. It’s a great experience.”
Her experience kicking a football started only a month ago.
“My little brother was going to kick for his little football team (Pennridge Greenjackets), and I went with them one day and started kicking with him and my dad,” said O’Neill. “I was doing surprisingly well.”
Kicking with her brother’s team was just an innocent experiment. Little did she know what it would lead to. When she heard about the need for a kicker on the high school team, she went to Cuthbert and volunteered to try it out.
“I had no intention of going with the high school team, and then I heard the team needed a kicker and so I said, ‘Why not?’” said O’Neill.
Cuthbert met her at the Greenjackets’ field and watched her boot a couple of field goals.
“She did a good job, and she had stronger legs than the guys that were kicking for us, so I said, ‘I’ll give you a shot,’” said Cuthbert.
O’Neill is practicing with the snapper and the holder four days a week.
“It was hard for me at first, getting the guts to go out there,” she said, “but the guys have been really supportive. They’re an awesome team.”
Putting a football uniform on for the first time was an “interesting” experience for O’Neill.
“I had a little trouble getting the stuff on,” she said. “It was a weird/cool feeling to suit up as a girl. Our trainer helped me get all situated. The helmet was also interesting. I’ve never worn a helmet for any other sport.”
Her debut came in the North Catholic game where she was a perfect two for two.
“I was really nervous,” she said. “I had never been on the sideline with the football team. There’s so much going on and it kind of takes the nerves away. After the first one, I felt pretty good. Every time I go out now I feel a little nervous, but that’s just normal.”
The following week in a 20-19 loss to Souderton she was 1-for-3. The first one was blocked and the last was tipped.
“There were mistakes that were made,” she said. “It just didn’t all fall together. At first it was just go out and kick and now you have a couple of mistakes and I’m taking it more seriously. I want to fix my mistakes and help the team out this year.”
Which apparently she did. The next week she was a perfect five for five against C.B. East.
O’Neill is also looking forward to the opportunity to kick a field goal.
“I’m up for field goals,” she said. “It’s something I’m working on. Hopefully when the time’s right we’ll get one in a game.”
She said she is accurate from about 25-30 yards out.
“We’re looking more for accuracy than taking those big risks,” she said.
So far, O’Neill hasn’t experienced any contact.
“I let all the guys know, ‘Don’t you let anybody near me,’” she said. “They do a very good job.”
Despite all the hoopla O’Neill has attracted being a female kicker on a male football team, she does not want to take the spotlight.
“I don’t want people to think I’m getting a big head,” she said. “I just want everybody to know the football team itself is a great experience. The guys on the team have made it extra special for me as a kicker. The team has been very accepting.”
“She’s done a good job,” said Cuthbert. “She’s getting better each week.”
O’Neill wants to continue playing soccer in college, but she doesn’t know where yet.
Who knows, maybe she will attract some interest as a placekicker.
“That would be fun,” she said.
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