The Corona del Sol Aztecs play as a family. Time and time again, head coach John Becktold has stressed how his team has no standout stars and takes pride in making them play as one. 

While that may be the goal for every coach, it is not the story for every team. 

In the 6A conference, there is only one female kicker. She is on Corona Del Sol. Her name is Jasper Schineller. 

Schineller is a 16-year-old junior from Tempe, Ariz., in her second year playing football. Originally, she started off as a soccer player. 

“Summer going into sophomore year my dad and I were playing football with my siblings, and he said, ‘You should kick it.’ I kicked it pretty high and pretty far, and now I am here,” she said. 

Being the only female on the team could potentially present challenges, but instead she said the team is like a family to her. Once she joined the varsity team, she felt right at home. 

“The biggest challenge for me was coming from junior varsity to varsity and proving I belong here,” she said. “I feel like this team is a family and they have accepted me.”

Special teams coach Michael Yarbough has a special bond with Schineller. Years ago, when Yarbrough was playing football at Corona del Sol, there was a female kicker on his team. His special teams coach at the time, Kent Olsen, backed female kickers and even recruited some. 

“Being from here and coming to this school, and having a girl on the team when I was here, it’s kind of an honor that now I’m taking the steps to show her the kicking game,” Yarbough said. “I really hope I can continue to help her out, and if the next level is something she wants to do I hope to teach her what I know to help get her there.” 

Schineller kicks both extra points and field goals and only has four missed kicks all year. Last year, she made her only field goal attempt, a 24-yarder that coaches said was a huge confidence booster. 

Football is a physical sport with a massive amount of injuries. Becktold and the rest of the coaching staff only worry about injury, but feel more than comfortable with her being out there. 

“She’s been great, she works hard, she's done two perfect onside kicks," he said. "I can’t ask for more in a player, male or female.”