Female kickers making impact in high school football playoffs: 'Nobody views her as a girl'
LANSING – Madison Luxmore was in gym class a few years ago when she realized she was pretty good at kicking a football.
The longtime soccer player was urged to explore trying to kick for the Portland football team.
So Luxmore reached out to Raiders coach John Novara. The longtime Portland coach was receptive, providing Luxmore with his program’s summer schedule and giving her an opportunity.
At Mason, Natalia Pluff was frequently in the weight room prior to her sophomore year, working on conditioning and training for soccer. Bulldogs football coach Gary Houghton noticed her there on a regular basis and eventually asked if Pluff had any interest in trying to kick for his program.
“I was super psyched,” Pluff said. “I never thought I could play on a football team before, so I took that opportunity.”
Pluff and Luxmore have put in the work and taken advantage of those opportunities to become regulars kicking under the Friday night lights this fall for two of Greater Lansing's top football programs. The two seniors, who are among several area girls who have kicked in games this fall, have been key contributors for their teams — both of who will look to continue successful seasons Friday with the start of the state playoffs.
Luxmore has made all 36 of her extra-point attempts and also made a 26-yard field goal last week for Division 5 No. 9-ranked Portland, which finished as the CAAC White runner-up and enters the playoffs with a 7-2 record.
And Pluff has kicked extra points, made a field goal and also handled kickoff duties for Mason, which finished as the CAAC Red champion for a third straight season and also owns a 7-2 record heading into the Division 3 postseason.
“It's been really exceptionally amazing to kick with the guys,” Luxmore said.
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“Just to go out on Friday nights — a lot of people don't get to experience that. It's really amazing just to be out there and just to feel the energy when you kick one through (the uprights) and the entire team just jumps on your back and they are congratulating you and cheering you on. No matter how many times you do it, it never gets old.”
That also has resonated with Pluff, who has enjoyed the experience of being the lone girl on Mason's football team.
“For me, I get a feeling inside and it's just like the right feeling (when I’m on the field),” Pluff said. “Every time I get to have a chance to go on to the field, I get really excited. It feels like it's just right for me. I really want to help the team however I can.”
Luxmore and Pluff, who began their football kicking journeys as sophomores, have studied online videos of other kickers to learn more about the craft. Luxmore attended kicking camps at Michigan State and Ferris State and views those as a turning point.
“(The) coaches really took me in and showed me how to kick it like a football instead of a soccer ball,” Luxmore said. “That was really the pivotal point when I got into kicking it more like a football and focusing on how the mechanics work and everything.”
Luxmore is the first girl who has played for Novara in his more than two decades leading the Raiders' program. Part of why Luxmore found her way to football was because her fall sports season opened up when concussions led to her contract with her club soccer team being medically declined.
Portland is glad Luxmore gave football a shot. Her work ethic and consistent performance have been noticed.
"She's one of our teammates," Novara said. "Nobody even views her as being a girl. They just view her as a teammate because she's done everything that the guys have done. We really appreciate what she's done for us.
"She won the spot and she's just a great kicker. She's been a big part of our team. It's incredible when you go out there and you know you can kick an extra point."
Pluff is the second female kicker Houghton has had at Mason during his five seasons in charge. She follows in the footsteps of Kate McElhone, who was on the team in 2017.
Houghton said his players have rallied around Pluff because of the work she has put in.
"She worked very hard to become a better kicker," Houghton said. "She's much better than she was a year ago, or even two years ago. She split time last year on what I'd consider, probably, one of the best teams we've ever had with the 2020 team. This year's team is pretty good, too.
"She won the job. Really, that speaks to her work ethic. She's one of the hardest-working kids I've ever been around, regardless of sport or gender. She's just relentless."
Pluff is glad to know other girls, such as Luxmore are also making an impact on their football teams. She hopes what they are doing inspires others.
"I really do like that feeling that other girls are also accomplishing things that make (them) stand out, too," Pluff said. "I think that's really cool and really inspiring for other female kickers and other females in general. (It lets) you know that you're not alone and that you can still do it, even if it's a man's sport."
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.