May 18, 2013
A Local 8 Weather Alert has been issued for today. Because of the threat of rain, thunder and even hail, outdoor activities may be disrupted or inconvenienced. What's going on? An upper-level low will be moving across East Tennessee today, creating a more unstable atmosphere.
MARYVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Football is often thought of as a man's game - played by men on a field of battle. Just don't tell that to Whitley Perry, the freshman kicker for Maryville College.
"It's challenging," said Perry. "I played soccer since I was three. I needed a challenge... so why not?"
Perry's more than "just some girl trying to play football;" she has the background. Her football career stretches back to high school and her decision to play at this level was not a rash one.
"(I) was really thinking about playing (college football) until my very last high school game. I walked off the field and broke down and said I have to play college football," said Perry.
Perry's not asking to be given playing time, only for the opportunity to earn it, and Scots head coach Mike Radar is willing to let her.
"I told her, we will treat you like anybody else," said Radar. "You'll get evaluated and you'll be on the depth chart and we'll see what you can do. So her talent level gets evaluated like everyone else."
"The number one thing she has to do is win the job. She's got two other guys ahead of her that are pretty dang good. And she understands that."
"I'm really good with my accuracy," said Perry. "I just need to get in the weight room and lift a little weight and I'll be ready to go."
While playing time will be hard to come by this season, it's about much more than simply splitting the uprights.
"She really just wants to be one of the teammates, and I'm proud of her for that" said Radar. "And I think the guys have really responded well. And they look out for her and she's one of their teammates."
