Bishop Sullivan duo lands WVU offers
Watch out guys… this gal is shooting for the starter’s job at Lafayette
by John Harvey, recruit757
JAMES CITY – Andie Mooradian is not your typical teenager.
Sure, she enjoys typical activities as performing music with her sister, Addison, playing basketball or just hanging out with friends.
The Lafayette High sophomore isn’t afraid to step out of her comfort zone either, as she tries out for the Bay Rivers District’s marquee football program as a punter.
“I wanted to tryout because I watch a lot of football and I’ve always wanted to play,” Mooradian said. “But I never have played because I felt like girls weren’t supposed to.”
Mooradian put those ideas to rest Monday, Aug. of the Rams as they look to vie for another state championship.
She took part in team conditioning drills before breaking into individual trills with special teams coach Brian Sorrell and the other kicker.
“I’m not very good yet, so my goal is just to improve and be a coachable player.”
Female football players are nothing new to the area and have become more commonplace lately. Tori Luedde played linebacker in 2013 and 2014 at Jamestown High School and Samantha Julien saw action as a defensive back at Warhill in 2012.
Mooradian is just the second female to play at Lafayette in the last 16 years. Linzie Dente played junior varsity football for the Rams for two years in the early 2000s, splitting time between tight end and kicker.
“The guys on the team treated me like family,” Dente recalled. “They protected me and didn’t want me to get hurt. The varsity coach at the time did not want me on the team, so that made it hard, but I just wanted to play.”
Mooradian noted her experience was similar.
“Going into tryouts, I expected that some players wouldn’t be accepting of me wanting to play, but they were actually very welcoming. Mooradian said. “The older players and the coaches set the tone that it was okay that I wanted to tryout and that they would give me a chance.”
The Rams football players have been impressed.
“I was surprised a little,” said starting linebacker Tristen Packer. “She was kicking with the other kicker most of the practice, so I didn’t get to speak to her too much, but according to some people she was doing well. I think it’s great she’s doing it because it show’s she’s tough.”
Whether she plays varsity or junior varsity, Mooradian is excited to be one of the guys.
– John Harvey
Contact John Harvey at [email protected] or via Twitter @RevCitySports.
Photo by Brad Howe
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