Kenny Chesney’s “The Boys of Fall” has been an anthem for high school football players for the last five years. But it does not account for girls who might play football.

Emma Williams, a senior kicker at Carbondale Community High School, is the second girl ever to play for the Terriers.  

She joined the team in the offseason after senior quarterback Michael Rochman, her lifelong friend, asked her on a whim to try out because the Terriers did not have a kicker. 

Advertisement

“It was kind of a joke at first,” Rochman said. “She didn’t think she had much of a chance, but it was actually pretty impressive how well she was doing.”

Williams made a 40-yard field goal with coaches watching to earn a spot on the team. 

In 2014, 1,565 of more than 1,085,000 high school football players nationwide were female, according to a survey conducted by the National Federation of High School Associations.

Coach Bryan Lee, who is in his first year at Carbondale, had high praise for Williams — the only girl he has coached.

“The fact that she has a different gene doesn’t make me look at her any differently,” Lee said. “She has all the values you look for. She’s where she’s supposed to be. She’s a good student. She’s a good athlete. She’s a good teammate. She’s cool under pressure.”

Although she spends most of her time at practice on a separate field with special teams coach Joe Bevis, Williams said she feels just as welcome on the football team as on the girls’ soccer team where she plays sweeper and is a captain. 

Williams said she plans to play college soccer, but is undecided as to where. College football is also not out of the question.

Advertisement*

“My mom has been thinking about that,” Williams said. “And honestly, why not? It’s another opportunity. I’m not opposed to it.”

April Goss, a senior kicker at Kent State, became the second female to ever record a point in an FBS game this season. 

If she was not playing football, Williams would be spending the fall on the Terrier golf team. She said football has helped with her stay in shape better than golf has. 

Crowd support at football games was one of the biggest changes for Williams from other sports. 

“The crowds are huge,” she said. “I don’t think I’ve ever played in front that big a crowd before. The first game was nerve-wracking, but it’s gotten better.”

Williams has made nine of 12 extra points this year, including all four of her attempts in her first game. 

And as it is a unique situation for Williams, she is still humble with the opportunity.   

“I’m just kicking extra points,” Williams said. “Just putting a point on the board.”

Thomas Donley can be reached at t[email protected] or at 536-3311 ext. 269.