For the first time since the combining of the co-op MSW (Morgan, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook) football team, out of the thirty-seven players football team, there is one female player, sophomore Mackenzie Huckabey.
Having minimal knowledge of football, Huckabey, who is new to Morgan this year, decided to join an all-girls flag football team her freshman year at her previous school in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Huckabey grew up watching and loving football, so she jumped at the opportunity to play. Although it wasn’t an official sport for the school, but a club, Huckabey shared, “it gave me the concept of going against schools being competitive.”
When arriving at Morgan and seeing they didn’t have a flag football team, Huckabey decided to take the next step in her football career. Despite never playing tackle football, she wanted to not only play football “for personal enjoyment but because I wanted to make a change and show people that not only boys can do it, but girls can too.”
As Huckabey joined the MSW team late, she has yet to play in any games due to the practice requirements here at Morgan. Once Huckabey is allowed to play, she is hoping to play on the defensive line, similar to the rusher position she had played during flag football.
Second year Head MSW Coach Casey Trasacco said, “It was good to see a girl step out of her comfort zone and want to play football. It’s not an easy thing to do.” Huckabey felt an immense sense of support from the team and coaching staff once joining the team, stating, “they treat me like a little sister, overall it’s been a really positive experience, and I get along well with everyone.”
While the team atmosphere has been encouraging, there is still the underlying factor of genetics and the differences between Huckabey and her teammates. Huckabey claims, “genetically, it is very intimidating,” sharing a struggle she faced during practice, “we were doing the sled the other day and since it’s so heavy, I couldn’t. I put my whole body weight on it, and I couldn’t move it. I think those are a reality check of my strength and really just humbles you.”
According to NFL operations, only .5% of Connecticut tackle football players were girls in 2018. While many would see this as a sign to quit, she views it as motivation, saying, “It challenges me to work more on myself and to start lifting more.”
Coach Trassaco expressed that although she does have knowledge of the game from playing flag football, the physicality is significantly different. Trasacco shared his plan of, “trying to work her little by little, playing a lot of JV practice against our guys, so she doesn’t get hurt.” Similar to the way Trasacco helps integrate the freshman, he hopes to prepare Huckabey for playing on this level. “We try to get them in the weight room once or twice a week to try to maintain their bodies and help them prevent injury,” said Trasacco.
Despite the physical difference between Huckabey and her teammates, Trasacco emphasized, “We keep an eye on her, but we’re going to coach her like anyone else.”
Mackenzie feels strongly about breaking the stereotype that only boys can play football. She hopes that this helps show other girls to fight against these stereotypes, remarking, “I’m capable of doing this and other girls are capable of doing this.”
