CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Kirkwood Cobras middle school football team will play for their first-ever championship Tuesday night. While that’s history in itself, there’s been an even more compelling storyline for this squad. Meet Alessandra Sullivan, a girl who not only plays for Kirkwood but also scores touchdowns for the Cobras and has never let anything get in the way of her love for football.
Sullivan grew up around the game, having two older brothers: Alex, who plays football at Midway University, and Deklin, quarterback for the Kirkwood High freshman team. To Sullivan, playing with the boys has been normal her whole life, and she’s not scared of a little contact.
“Ever since I was little, I watched my brothers play football,” said Sullivan. “It’s always cool to watch them play. Every time they were outside playing, I wanted go out and throw the ball and practice with them. I wanted to show the older brothers that I could hang with them. They helped me learn how to be a better player, stay focused, and have been my biggest supporters on this journey.”
Didn’t make tryouts, but kept trying
Sullivan, who started playing soccer when she was 5, tried out for the middle school football team last season, her 7th grade year. She tried out as a kicker, but didn’t make the roster, and anyone would have told her it would be OK to quit there. Sullivan did just the opposite. She used it as motivation, worked harder, and even though she knew there was a chance she’d never play, continued to work on her craft, with some motivation from her brothers.
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“When I got cut that first year, it definitely hurt. But I knew that if I really loved football, I couldn’t give up on it,” said Sullivan. “I decided to use it as motivation to get better and to work harder, learn more, and prove to myself that I belong here. Making the team the next year showed me that hard work pays off, and that if you stay committed and keep believing in yourself, you can overcome just about anything.”
This season, her 8th grade year, she made the team, but this time as a wide receiver. After several backyard sessions playing catch with her brothers, Sullivan has developed a knack for catching the football and running routes, tallying over 100 yards this season, and even scored the first touchdown by a girl in Kirkwood Middle School history.
Pushing herself daily to improve her game
Kirkwood head coach and former West Creek High School head coach James Figueroa loves having Sullivan as part of the squad. “She works hard in practice and doesn’t complain about being on the field with all the boys,” said Sullivan. “She can catch and compete with other players on the team. Our team has adapted well to her and treats her like a teammate. She is such a hard worker and continues to push herself daily to improve her game. I am proud to have her as part of the Kirkwood football team.”
For Sullivan, it’s never been about being different. Her motivation isn’t to make a statement, to bring attention to herself; she’s not in it for the publicity. Rather, she simply loves football, and works tirelessly to be the best player she can be.
“It is pretty awesome to make history, but honestly, I never thought of it that way,” said Sullivan. “I thought of myself being determined to play and being a part of the football team. I would like to be a role model for other girls out there. Even an example to show girls that no matter what you want to do, put your mind to it and stay focused.“
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