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When a kick from a girl is a good thing
Accipiter proves she can play with the boys
Friday, Nov. 20, 2009
 Click here to enlarge this photo Submitted photo
Chelsea Accipiter kicked for Northern's JV football team this fall.
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Most football teams do a double take when they see Chelsea Accipiter walking out onto the field to kick.
Accipiter, a sophomore at Northern High School, took up the craft for the first time this fall and has become an inspiration to young females who might have thought about playing football but just couldn't get the nerve to play among the boys.
"She is part of the reason our fan base has grown," Northern JV head football coach Paul Crickenberger said. "I think some fans come out just to watch her play."
It all started in a 2008 powder puff game when JV quarterback Justin Taylor noticed his friend had talent and recommended she come out for fall tryouts in August. Taylor spoke to Crickenberger and Accipiter met him on the field after school one day.
"She came out after school one day and I had her kick from different distances and she was successful," Crickenberger said. "I had her kick the extra point distance first. She did really well. She made 13 out of 15 attempts and I said, ‘Sure, she could come on.'"
Accipiter's year comes full circle to where it all started as she will be in action tonight at Northern in the 2009 version of the powder puff game. She will start as the center when her sophomore team takes on the seniors of Northern.
The game is being dedicated to Accipiter's friend Corey Gilger who passed away from non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer of the body's lymphatic system, on May 16.
"We're wearing green because that was her favorite color," Accipiter said.
Playing soccer since age 5, Accipiter never imagined she'd be playing football in high school.
She had to quit playing on Northern's soccer team to focus on her kicking skills and hasn't regretted that decision for a single day. With a strong kick, she has fallen right into place with the JV football team, which ended its season with a 6-4 record.
"I didn't know a thing about football," Accipiter said, "and now I really enjoy being on the sidelines. They treat me like I'm one of the guys. The first time I scored, they all ran out and hit my helmet. I'm still a girly-girl and wear my make-up. I was actually voted Ms. Princess this year, but I'm planning on trying out for varsity next year and I hope to get a scholarship if I can. If they say I'm good enough, I'd like to do this in college."
When the team travels to away games, she has to have different accommodations from her male teammates to get herself suited for the game.
"My team really welcomed me," Accipiter said. "But there was one team we played that gave us a hard time about it, but I know my team always has my back."
Accipiter injured her knee midway through the season and was not able to return, but she still came out to support the team at each game.
"It was unfortunate that she got hurt, but she continued to come to practice and support the team," Crickenberger said.
She has been going through physical therapy and plans on trying out for the varsity team next year and Northern varsity head football coach AJ Berberian is happy to have her try out.
"I feel the same way I do about any other player trying out for varsity," Berberian said. "Chelsea is a great individual and we were glad to have her this year. I loved her attitude and I hope to see her next year. Players are players and gender doesn't make a difference. I don't think being a female makes a difference. If she can kick, then any college would be interested."
Accipiter keeps busy with travel soccer, basketball and is also an active member of Future Business Leaders of America, the student council and is a part of the newspaper staff at Northern. She maintains a 3.2 GPA.
In preparation for tonight's game, Accipiter will have to get a release from her doctor to be able to kick.
"I really hope that I can kick in the game," Accipiter said. "I was so bummed out when I got hurt. I was kicking some of my best kicks that day in practice right before my knee popped out.
"This has been an awesome experience and I want other girls to know that they can come out and try for any sport they want, even if it's considered a guys sport."
