Howitt Middle School’s Football team struggled with an inconsistent kicking game. The solution, eighth-grade soccer player Gianna Recine. Coaches took notice of Gianna’s strong boot while she was practicing with the middle school girls soccer team down at the other end of the field.
“I asked Gianna to come over and practice a few field goal kicks,” said middle school Football coach Colin Leary. “It was obvious she was more than capable.”
After squaring away all the protocols with the Athletic Department and getting her parents’ blessing, Gianna threw on football pads and practiced with the team. The rest is history.
“I’ve heard stories and seen shows about a girl being on the boy’s football team, and it was something that I always wanted to do,” said Gianna Recine. “When I got asked to join the team, I was going crazy with emotions. I was excited, scared, and nervous.”
Gianna went 3 for 3 in extra points in her debut against Oceanside, kicking the football dead center through the uprights. Farmingdale was victorious with a 36-0 win.
“Everyone has been so supportive and helpful during this experience,” said Gianna Recine. “When people pass me in the hallway at school, they don’t call me by my name anymore. They say, “Hey, kicker!”.