Lizzie Wicker Becomes First Female to Score a Point in a CHS Football Game

By Mia Freneaux
    When Lizzie Wicker lined up her kick last Friday night, she was only focused on making it good.  Lizzie, a second year varsity field goal kicker for the Central High Wildcats, watched her ball go through the posts and launch her into history.  With that kick, she became the first female in CHS history and only the second in the entire parish to score a point in a football game.  “I wasn’t really thinking about making history,” she confesses, “but afterward, I was glad it made it through and counted!”  Lizzie’s point was part of the Wildcats’ 52-6 victory over Mentorship Academy.
    Lizzie, a senior at CHS, is one busy lady.  An honor student, she must balance studying between football practice, ice skating practice and coaching, holding down 2 jobs, and trying to have a little down time in between.   She participates in every practice, including boot camp, with the entire football team. “My being a girl was a new thing for the guys to deal with,” she states, “but my teammates accept me as just one of the team,”
     Lizzie gained an interest in kicking when she was in 8th grade and used to play with her big brother Trey.   She had so much fun she decided she wanted to try it out.   She received coaching from Wade Richey, a former LSU and pro ball kicker.  She acknowledges all he has done for her.  In addition, she expressed gratitude to Coach Sid and the entire coaching staff for “giving me this opportunity and allowing me to be a part of this football process.”  Coach Hutson and the athletic trainers made things much easier for her by giving her a locker in their locker room.   She also is grateful to her teammates.  “After I scored the point, before I even got off the field, the players’ response was amazing.  As soon as I ran off the field, they were all slapping me on the helmet, congratulating me and being so supportive,” she smiled, “that was really touching.” 
    Lizzie has been a competitive ice skater for 9 years, and has coached for 2.  She must drive to Lafayette to work with her skating coach after she has spent the afternoon at football practice.  Then she drives home to face her homework.  Her goal is to attend LSU and major in Chemical Engineering.  
    When not involved in a sport, Lizzie promotes her own business of providing entertainment at children’s birthday parties dressed as a princess from certain popular animated movies and works at Leo’s Iceland and Rollerland.  She is also a photographer whose work has been acknowledged on the national level by the Beta Club and active in her youth group at Blackwater United Methodist Church.   When she can grab a little break, she enjoys playing video games.  Not content to rest on her laurels, Lizzie emphasized, “I just want to improve my kicking game as much as I can through this season and get better week by week.”  Congratulations Lizzie and to the whole Wildcat team!