CV's Daman just one of the guys - Timesonline.

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Posted: Wednesday, October 9, 2013 11:00 pm

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By Mike Bires mbires@timesonline.com |

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CENTER TWP. Hannah Daman doesnt have a hidden agenda. Shes not trying to make a point for women. Theres only one reason why shes on Central Valleys football team: She loves the game. And even though shes a 16-year-old girl, she has the physical build and skills that allow her to play a male-dominated sport. Its fun, she said. I like everything about it. I even love going to practice every day.

Photo by Sally Maxson of The Times

Hannah Daman, a junior at Central Valley High School, plays football for her school.
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Daman, who wears No. 36 for the Warriors, is a wide receiver/cornerback whos 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds. Shes only played sparingly in three varsity games so far, but she does get her share of snaps each week in junior varsity games. Ive always wanted to play football ever since I was little, but my parents never really took me seriously until this year, she said. My mom finally said you only get to go to high school once, so play whatever sports you want because you wont get to do this again. For the past two years, Daman started in center field on Central Valleys girls softball team. But this past spring, she decided to give football a try. I wasnt real happy about it at first, said Hannahs mother, Val Daman. I tried to talk her out of it. I was just scared that she would get hurt. She is a tough kid, but football its a guys sport. I tried everything to talk her out of it. Knowing that she would need to get permission from Central Valley administrators and coach Mark Lyons, Hannah Daman first approached Carla Copple, the athletic department secretary. Carla told me that she thought it was a great idea, Daman said. After that, we contacted our two principals, Mr. (Shawn) McCreary and Mr. (Tony) Mendicino. And then, I walked into coach Lyons office and told him I was interested in playing. He said Well get you a helmet and cleats and you can start practicing today. That was in the spring when Lyons was putting the Warriors through off-season conditioning. Daman remembers the day after several workouts when one of the boys on the team yelled out Hannah Daman is still here! I cant believe it! Daman responded by saying Yep. And Im here to stay. As a first-year player, Daman isnt as fundamentally sound as most boys on the team, many of whom played football as kids in midget leagues. But shes learning every day, and shes hanging in there physically. Shes has to yet to be injured. Shes doing very well, said assistant coach Tyrone Dixon. She has a great work ethic. She brings a lot of character to the team and shes very physical. Shell knock you around given the opportunity. Its no holds barred. We treat her just like one of the guys, and she likes it that way. We all know

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CV's Daman just one of the guys - Timesonline.com: High School Football

http://www.timesonline.com/sports/high_school/football/cv-s-daman-jus...

shes a girl. But I remember early on (this season) when she came up on a guy at practice and whacked him pretty good. Youd have thought it was one of the guys making the hit. Daman has yet to catch a pass in a varsity or JV game. She hasnt even had a pass thrown in her direction yet. But she made two tackles in a 49-0 win at Chartiers Valley in Week 3. As a trumpet-playing member of the band, Daman rarely leaves the field at halftime on Friday nights. While all other band members perform in their band uniforms, Daman performs while still in her football uniform. Its a joy to coach her. It really is, Dixon said. We try to get her into the game as much as possible because our fans really love it when she gets in. When she runs out on to the field, our fans go crazy. Theres a good chance Daman could play Friday at Central Valleys homecoming. The talented Warriors (5-1) are hosting winless Hopewell (0-6). The reserves figure to get some playing time Daman included. When I first went out for football, no one on the team said that I shouldnt do this, Daman said. But Im sure there were some who were thinking it. But now, everyone has pretty much accepted me. They know Im not going anywhere.

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Posted in Football, Top stories on Wednesday, October 9, 2013 11:00 pm.

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