HELENA — According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, Helena High’s Mollee Boyle is tackling sports gender norms as one of around 4,000 women playing high school football in the country.
“I was very much the person in the student section whenever a kicker missed I would be like, 'I could do that," Boyle said. "And so now get to.”
Being a kicker only made sense after 13 years of soccer.
Despite being the only girl on the team, Boyle's football family is grateful she joined and has learned a lot from her.
“I think it is just persistence, you know? And it has been really cool just seeing her being one of the guys out there," said Helena High head coach Dane Broadhead. "She’s jumped in and has not shied away from anything.”
When she’s not kicking or helping the team managers, she’s being the team sister.
“It is definitely a brotherhood type of thing, but I am happy to act as the sister,” Boyle said.
Boyle is a senior, and although she is having many high school lasts, she is also having some firsts.
It is her first season playing football, and she debuted her kicking skills against Missoula Hellgate.
Making her first goal was “the biggest adrenaline rush I have ever had in my life," Boyle said. "It’s so much fun. I remember going into that first game and I made it, and it was so exciting. I know all the boys on my team were excited, too.”
Broadhead believes a big part of teamwork is acceptance.
“It does not matter what walk of life you come from, you are going to have a role and a place in our program,” he said.
At first, Boyle was nervous what others may think of her joining a male-dominated sport, but it has taught her a lesson that she will take with her to college next fall.
“Just do it," she said. "I mean, you only get to do something once, so why not?”
