Watching last Wednesday’s season opener, the only way a spectator in the stands might be able to guess that one of the linemen on the Mathews High School JV football team was actually a linewoman was by catching a glimpse of the long red ponytail flying out of her helmet.

They certainly couldn’t tell it by her performance on the field as Andie Schlosshan more than held her own against the Blue Devils’ opponents, the Northampton Yellow Jackets.

Although Mathews lost the contest, Andie had a strong game on both sides of the ball as offensive guard and defensive tackle. She also played on the punt and punt return special teams. The only breather she got was when the kickoff team was on the field.

Andie is the Blue Devils’ first female football player, but the MHS sophomore doesn’t seem too concerned about breaking the gender barrier; she’s more focused on working on her blocking and tackling skills, studying game films and getting ready for last nigh...