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Cline takes pride in chance to represent Edison community on Friday nights

Rachel Cline - Edison

RICHMOND — Joining the Edison football team has been four years in the making for Rachel Cline. She was a freshman when Wildcats head football coach Derrick Stickles invited members of both the boys and girls soccer teams at Edison to work out, condition and try out for the role of a consistent kicker on the football team.

“At the time, myself and one of our seniors decided to try out,” Cline said. “We worked with (Edison girls soccer coach) Coach Jeremy Angelo to find a style that complimented our soccer-style kick with the design of the football approach. We went to some practices that year, but the season had already started and it was difficult to match up our soccer schedules, so we kind of gave up on the idea. That’s when I knew the opportunity was there if I could find a way to make it work.”

That was 2013. Here in 2016, Cline is suiting up for the Wildcats on Friday nights.

“This year, having my drivers license made it easier for me to find a schedule that worked,” Cline said. “During the summer, I brought up the idea of trying out to kick again to Coach Stickles. He invited me to come out over the summer and practice. Then, I would be able to attend tryout sessions once the season started. I was able to find a comfortable and consistent approach and eventually made the team at tryouts.

“One of the main reasons I was able to join the football team was that the practice schedule works well with my soccer schedule. Coach Stickles has me attend football practices two days a week. On Tuesdays, I join the team for field goal practice and on Thursday I go through a walk-through practice with the team. The football practices take place before soccer so there is not interference and I can attend both.”

Through Week 5 of the high school football season, Cline has appeared in the Wildcats’ 36-12 win over Buckeye 8 rival Buckeye Local as well as last Friday’s loss to Union Local. Cline attempted three extra point attempts after rushing touchdowns for Edison against Buckeye Local.

She went two for three.

“My first attempt went slightly to the right,” Cline said. “But the next two went right down the middle.”

Against Union Local, Cline converted her only extra point try.

Dom Rogers, a veteran on the Edison football team, serves as a go-to wide receiver as well as the Wildcats’ main kicker. He has made eight extra points this season. Rogers, like all of the Wildcats, has supported Cline’s decision to join the team. Rogers personally watches over on the sideline and they work hand-in-hand on field goal attempts.

“Dom has become much more consistent with his kicks this year and he has been doing an excellent job,” Cline said. “When we’re kicking, Dom is always right there giving me words of encouragement and cheering me on. All the boys have made this a great experience and I am so thankful they have given me the opportunity to join their family.

“My favorite part of the team is the sense of family and unity I feel with the boys and coaches. They have all been very supportive through the whole process. I was nervous when I first joined the team because I was afraid some of the boys would be angry that a girl was going to come on the team and try to take their spots. It hasn’t been that way at all. I feel as if I have been adopted into another family. Everyone has a great attitude and they have all been working so hard and giving their hearts to this team. They have been taking me in and helped me become part of such a great thing.”

Cline is the first female to play football in Edison High School history. The groundbreaking moment has become a sense of pride for, not just Cline and her family, but for all of Wildcat Nation.

“This year, our school is making a huge effort to bring back as much school spirit as possible,” Cline said. “We are trying to get our students excited and get the community involved as much as possible. Bringing a female onto the team for the first time in our school’s history has given a little added excitement and brought some positive energy to the environment.

“I am so thankful to be part of such a wonderful school and community and will continue to work as hard as I can to contribute to that school pride and positive attitude. I am proud to wear that jersey and represent all of the boys on my team, my school and my community.”

None of this would have been possible without her extended experience playing soccer. As one of four senior captains for the Wildcats, Cline has developed her skills over the years. She is one of the strongest midfielders in the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference and she takes her role seriously.

“I started playing soccer when I was about 3 or 4,” she said. “My favorite part about the game is how fast-paced and intense it can be.  As a midfielder, it is important that you constantly analyze the whole field because the ball can change possesion and end up in any part of the field at any given moment.”

Then, to fully compete like a football player, she had to get stronger from top to bottom. Not a problem for this gym rat.

“I have never been afraid of the weight room,” Cline said. “In fact, it’s one of the places I feel the most comfortable. I am constantly working to better myself in all areas whether that be physically or academically.”

She attributes much of her athletic prowess to Melissa Hudson and Shane O’Brien.

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