From left, Addison Brink, Addison Burrows and Hailey Laird have left an impression for the East Brady Senior football team. The 11-year-old girls have not only hung with their male counterparts, they have dominated.

SUGARCREEK TWP — Addison Burrows' love for football was born on Sunday afternoons.

She'd hunker down on the couch with her father, Wayne, and watch the game intently on television.

She'd study the players. Their assignments. How fast they were and how hard they hit. She longed to be like them. To throw a spiral like them. To tackle like them.

So, Burrows did.

Now in her fifth year in the East Brady Youth Football league, the Chicora native is a starting quarterback and defensive end for the Senior team.

She's not alone. Two other female players start for the 11-year-old team — Addison Brink and Haley Laird.

“We don't have to treat them any differently than the guys,” said coach Dustin Robinson. “They actually probably take more in than the guys because they want to learn.”

This is an excerpt of an article that appeared in Friday's Butler Eagle. Subscribe online or in print to read the full article.