Elverado freshman Abby Grammer, 14, of Elkville, may not be the first girl to play high school football, but you won’t find too many of them starting on the offensive line for both their freshman and junior varsity teams.
“I coached a girl player at Eldorado, but she was a kicker,” said Elverado-Trico coach Duffy Sanders. “She was a good kicker, but she didn’t have to put up with the constant physical play that Abby does. Abby is real strong, and she was one of the first people to catch into our blocking scheme. Her ability to block for a running game is how she earned her starting position at guard on the offensive line. She is all smiles when it comes to the physical play she has to endure.”
Grammer got her first taste of the physical sport in grade school playing flag football. Ever since, she has known what she wanted to do.
“Football is the best thing in the world,” said Grammer. “The thrill of being able to knock someone on their butt and show people that just because I am a girl, that doesn’t mean I can’t play. One of the biggest misconceptions that people have about girl football players is that we aren’t strong enough for the game. We just have to give it our all and stay positive no matter what.”
Being on the frontlines as an offensive guard, Grammer can’t shy away from contact, and her ability to block guys bigger and stronger than she is, is something that can’t be overlooked.
“With the way Abby has played, she has earned the respect of this team,” added Sanders. “The team does not treat her any differently because she is a girl. She is a part of this team and just another football player — who just happens to be a girl.”
While Grammer is excited to put on the pads for practice and games, her competition doesn’t take it easy on her.
“The guys will go right at me, and I have to show them early that I’m not afraid of the contact and that I can hit just as hard as they do,” said Grammer. “Not only is my position very physical, I have to rember a lot of plays too. You have to be able to be physical, while staying focused on your assignments. I definietly want to play all four years in high school and compete on the varsity level.”
Some of Grammer’s highlights that stick out in her mind is getting her first tackle in practice against the biggest player on the varsity team and her game as a starter for the junior varsity.
“My mom is nervous before every game and always tells me to be careful,” said Grammer. “Then she will tell me to go knock someone down. My biggest assets as a football player is my faith in myself and knowing that I can be as good as any guy out here if I work hard.”
Grammer is the daughter of Amber Grammer and Evan Belfer of Elkville.