Whilst blowing everyone away with her signature kick of the football, powered by determination and vigor, one might easily assume Elizabeth “Izzie” Giovannone has been involved in football since an early age. Despite her distinct talent, Giovannone began playing football just this past summer. Curious to see if she could translate her ability to launch a soccer ball with a mere kick into the realm of football, her dad encouraged her to kick footballs. It was at this moment Giovannone discovered the innate connection between the two, a harmony of both worlds combined as one. Entranced by the challenge of something new, Giovannone practiced tirelessly, honing her skills, and, before she knew it, she found herself trying out for Poly’s football team.
Giovannone has been a vital and refreshing addition to the varsity football team with the position of field goal and place kicker. As a freshman, she has brought with her a championship mindset and pedigree, having recently won back-to-back national titles in soccer. Her strong work ethic as a football player was evident as she consistently sought to improve her skills, asking questions and putting in extra work through private training sessions to refine her kicking technique.
Sophomore Bowe Lubin said, “I think she contributes to the team by doing her job and getting us out of tough situations.”
In addition to the technical element of the sport, Giovannone commented on its exhilarating spirit: “I love the thrill of the game, the rush you get when you’re on the field and every moment feels intense. Whether it’s lining up a big kick or being in a high-pressure situation, I love the adrenaline that comes with it.”
Throughout the season, Giovannone was continuously placed outside her immediate comfort zone, yet her apparent success as a young athlete is a testament to her unwavering perseverance. By the end of the season, Giovannone had successfully converted 16 of 28 extra point attempts and had one field goal attempt that was blocked, resulting in a 0-1 record for field goals. Her extra point conversion rate for the season was 58 percent at the varsity level. In addition to her kicking duties on the varsity team, Giovannone also showed versatility and toughness as a JV player, stepping up to carry the ball as a running back when needed. She had five carries for 12 yards, including a near-touchdown, as she was stopped just short of the end zone in the final play of the game.
Head Coach Ken Henderson stated, “I can see Izzie growing as a football player as she continues to dominate in her football career. She’s an amazing athlete and even more incredible young lady, and it has been an absolute pleasure working with her!”
As Giovannone continues to render her athletic talents both within and beyond the football field, it is for certain that she will kick all obstacles that come her way into the goals of victory.