Girls Save Season For Football Team Struggling To Put Full Squad On Field

Two girls who saved their school’s football season by going out for the team played Thursday in Alden-Hebron High School’s 26-6 loss to the Wisconsin School for the Deaf.

Due to injuries to a boy, guard Gail Winkelman, 17, and receiver Gina Powers, 15, got into the Giants’ home game earlier than expected but played only a few minutes, athletic director Mary Noonan said.

Winkelman made a tackle on a kickoff return in the third quarter.

“They played a decent game considering everything. The crowd enjoyed it,” Noonan said from her home Thursday night.

“I think it’s wonderful they’re playing,” Hebron Mayor Frank Beatty said. “They’re definitely part of the team. This is what the village of Hebron is all about.”

Ken Winkelman said his daughter “was a little nervous” about playing.

After the school forfeited its first two games, the two girls went out for the squad to give it the required 15 players. But Noonan warns that injuries could end the season at the 130-student school, 45 miles northwest of Chicago.

The Giants’ next game is Sept. 20 at Lake Forest Academy.

The girls are not the first to play football at the school as the Giants had a girl on their team a few years ago, Noonan said.

Nationally, an estimated 700 girls play high school football.