Stacey Tinsley, stinsley@bossierpress.com
From a very young age, Sarah Robertson has always been interested and active in sports.
From riding horses and barrel racing to a freshman soccer player at Haughton High School, Sarah liked to constantly challenge and push herself. Now in her junior year of high school, Sara has taken on the challenge of being the Junior Varsity football kicker and the first female football player at the school.
“I’m super excited. I’m ready to see what is going to happen in the future. Hopefully all good things. All the boys are super excited and super supportive of me and help me out all the time. They are really awesome, ” Sarah said.
After playing soccer since her freshman year of high school, Sarah wanted to try something new. She went to her parents and asked them how they would feel if she went and tried out for the kicker position on the football team.
After much discussion and weighing out the pros and cons, Sarah’s parents agreed she should give it a shot… Under one condition: that the coach would treat her just like everyone else on the team.
“When she came into my office, I said ‘What do you want to do? Do you really want to be on the football team? Because there are some challenges to that. You have to understand that your about to be on a team with 140 guys in our program, and you’re going to be the only girl,’” said Jason Brotherton, Haughton High School’s head football coach.
Understanding all of the challenges she could face, Sarah earned her spot as one of the four kickers on the team.
On Monday, Sept. 17, Sarah kicked and made her very first field goal after the team scored a touchdown against Byrd High School.
Maggie Robertson, Sarah’s mom said, “We are very excited about it. It’s been kinda surreal to us.”
Her dad, Brian Robertson, said, “I would like to thank the community. They have been very supportive. When she made her first field goal in the game and it was just awesome watching all the kids out there giving her high fives and all rooting for her. I would like to thank the players on the team just for accepting her. And for Coach Brotherton for giving her a shot.”
While football is a sport that remains male-dominated, with no women playing in the NFL and very few on college teams, girls are gaining attention for their achievements in breaking into the boy’s club at the high school level.
Sarah is excited to be one of that elite club.
“I couldn’t do this without my coaches. I wouldn’t be where I am today. They are extremely supportive and just amazing,” said Sarah.
[Edit for clarification: This story was updated to reflect that Robertson is the first female player in school history, not the parish.]
Brian Robertson
Go girl go!!! ???
Goooo Sarah!
Chalyashvoy Roberson
But she is not first female football player. There was whole movie happened in McMinnville Oregon in like 70s
Quarter back princess was name of it
I’m sure it meant for the school.
We’ve had female football players in South Dakota for a couple of years, I’m not real fond of the idea, but whatever melts their butter. But I guess it’s a historical first for Haughton.
Rhonda N JP Singleton why would you not be “fond” of it?
Rhonda N JP Singleton sexist against your own?
The article is referring to first for Haughton. It’s more clear if you read the whole article. Thanks to those that are supportive!
I think its amazing just very misleading in title
Very cool!!
About time ?????????? #GirlPower
She is so not the first girl to play football! Darla N Calmbacher-Greerr
Might want to check your facts Benton High School has a female football player in the 90’s….
They sure did!
Up we did. But it was in 94 because I graduated with her. It was Darla N Calmbacher-Greer
It didn’t say in Bossier parish did it?
It didn’t say in Bossier parish did it?
Susanne Robinson Sewell the headline is not true and misleading!
Lol The title is not misleading… it leads with “Haughton’s”… not “Bossier Parsh’s.” The article is clear this is a first for Haughton… everyone has their own perception on things and you can read it how you’d like, but its seems pretty clear over here. Just give the chick some credit, she’s kicking butt as Haughton’s first female player and it’s great her teammates, coaches, and community is supportive. ????
Candace Ann Moseley Short she is not the first female football player maybe Haughton’s first female football player. Again the headline is not true and misleading!
Lol yes… that’s what I and the article said HAUGHTON… you must not have seen the Haughton in the title, article, and my comment. It’s cool though, yes… like the title and article says, Haughton’s first.
I bought the paper.
Candace Ann Moseley Short thank you!
? got you girl! Keep up the great work! ??✊? you and your teammates are making Haughton proud!
Maybe they meant the first for Haughton but the title is Not clear, should be redone…I’m trying to figure out how is it negative though just because people are correcting the facts ?♀️
I was 1st then my sisters Samantha Smith,Sandra McElroy Sanders and then It was a female kicker in TX that’s the facts n from there idk
Nope…she ain’t the first folks!! Benton Tigers!!
We are so proud of Sarah-paige Robertson!
I’m pretty sure they meant the first for Haughton High… this article is about a haughton player, not about another school.
Nice work Sarah. Just lean forward in the saddle. Ignore the negative stuff.
Lol. She’s a barrel racer too!
Read the article, folks. This is a classy Haughton first! Love that Sarah!
I was the first female football player!!!
Followed by the other two of us. So it is cool for her. But she is not the first to play..
Freshmen year. Graduated in 1999.
Some1 kept deleting my post check my wall sis Samantha Smith
Bossier Tribune-press needs to do better research! I know for sure Darla was on the news,can’t remember what station…
Channel 12 Regina Brock
Story in paper by Mr Byrd Regina Brock
Title is misleading! Maybe it should have said “Sarah Robertson, Haughton first female football player”. I think this is just a case of poor grammar and not proof reading. Congrats Sarah!!!
The 1st was a Benton High female back in the 90’s.
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