HS female quarterback makes history

PLANTATION, Fla. (WSVN) -- A young South Florida teen is making history as the first female in Florida to take the football field as quarterback.

Erin Dimeglio, from South Plantation Sr. High is making history as the first female quarterback in Florida on the varsity football team. "Makes me feel good because I want to inspire other girls to come out and do something that someone told then they can't do," said Dimeglio.

The 17-year-old was drafted by varsity football coach Doug Gatewood, who was Dimeglio's coach in flag football. "It doesn't matter if she's a girl to me," he said. "If she wasn't a good football player she wouldn't be here."

Her teammates respect her and treat her like she's one of the boys. "She's one of us, and we just treat her like she's one of us and not anything more or anything less," said starting quarterback John Franklin.

Dimeglio throws, runs and even wears shoulder pads in case she is tackled too hard. Her mother said if that's what makes her happy, then she's happy for her. "Excited for Erin, and I mean, how cool is this for your kid to have her dream come true," said her mother.

Dimeglio's dream is to throw a touchdown for her team. "To throw a touchdown, that's my biggest goal right now that all I'm looking forward to," she said.

She said she does not mind standing out as the only girl among the boys. If the team does well against Nova on Friday, she might get a chance to play on the field.

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