Females in football, from NFL officials to kickers on the high school and college level, are becoming more common with each new season.
Girls in the trenches — on offensive and defensive lines — not so much.
That is until you check out the Indian Land Middle School offensive line for the 2023 season.
There you will find Olivia Marcotsis, a second-year player and first-year starter for the conference champion Indian Land team, which won its third straight league title with an 8-0 record this fall.
Marcotsis, a defensive lineman as a seventh-grader last year in her first football season, made the switch to the offensive interior this year and made it count.
“She was one of our best offensive linemen,” said ILMS Warriors coach Daniel Mackey of the eighth-grade left guard. ”It was pretty unique she won a position in the line.
“She had no issue with physicality,” he said. “She got lit up, but got up and kept going.”
Marcotsis, 14, joined the Indian Land football team at the urging of friends.
“There was an announcement about a football interest meeting and my friends encouraged me to try,” she said. “They had seen me throw the football in PE class and they were impressed with how I threw the ball.”
Marcotsis proved she could also throw blocks.
“Girls usually don’t play in the line, but I liked it,” she said. “It was a challenge, and it was fun overcoming the challenge.”
There were obstacles along the way, like a broken finger during summer workouts in preparation for the new season.
She battled on until midway through the six-game regular season.
“After our third game, our coach wasn’t real happy with anybody, so we had a hit day,” Marcotsis said.
The “hit day” provided a chance for any player to step up and earn a starting spot.
“I hit people,” Marcotsis said. “When we went to team time — offense against defense — I proved to them I knew the plays and I was better than the person in front of me.”
Mackey took note.
“Olivia wasn’t satisfied with being on the team, but being on the field,” he said. “It’s rare for a girl to be in an interior position, but she earned it.”
Line play, with close, intense contact, makes it hard to distinguish just who is who, but sometimes it’s obvious.
“After one game, we were going through the line with the opposing players, and a player said, ‘Is that a girl?’ ”
No matter, Marcotsis made an impact.
“Our running game is about giving our backs a chance to get in space and make a play,” Mackey said. “Our running game got much better with her in the line.”
Marcotsis said it’s about seizing the moment.
“You need to be in the right place,” she said. “You have to give people behind you the chance to do what they do. Basically, do your job.
“Everyone was supportive,” Marcotsis said. “As a team, we benefited and helped each other grow.”
As a first-year starter, Marcotsis helped Indian Land Middle post its 24th straight win and capture the conference crown.
“That was amazing,” she said. “It was a bittersweet feeling. I got to play and help our team win the championship. At the same time, it could be the last time I play football.”
But if Marcotsis has her way, her football career will continue.
“It was a huge confidence boost and it made me think there might be a possibility to continue playing,” said Marcotsis, who has strong aspirations of playing in high school.
“I’ve received encouragement from my coaches. I won’t be as big and strong as some of the other players, but I have to believe in myself and work hard and never quit.
“I have to keep working for the goal and set new ones when I achieve them,” Marcotsis said. “I really do like it. This is something I’d like to do in high school.”
