Kaley Sirois of the East Lynn Pop Warner ‘A’ football team, is pictured with her parents, Rob and Jennifer, prior to Sunday’s playoff game against Brookline/Jamaica Plain at Everett Memorial Stadium.
Kaley Sirois was an aspiring gymnast and soccer player but she now snowboards, plays basketball and softball – and is a quarterback for the East Lynn Pop Warner Bulldogs ‘A’ football team.
Sirois is the only girl on the 25-player East Lynn contingent. Her athletic heritage comes from her parents, Rob and Jennifer.
Rob Sirois was an All-Star fullback and defensive standout for coach Ray McDermott’s St. Mary’s High school football teams, graduating in 1993. He played one season of semi-professional football with the Merrimack Valley Outlaws before becoming a member of the U.S. Marine Corps for four years. A graduate of Northeastern University, he has been an officer in the Lynn Police Department for 12 years. Jennifer Sirois was a field hockey and lacrosse player for Acton-Boxboro High School.
Kaley, 14, began her football career with the Mighty Mites and has moved up a level in each season. An excellent all-around student at Pickering Middle School, Kaley received National Pop Warner Academic All-American recognition while she was a member of the ‘C’ team.
Rob Sirois said his daughter has enjoyed her football-playing experience in the East Lynn organization.
“One thing that I love about the program is that the coaches and the boys from Mighty Mites all the way to ‘A’ level were incredible – they were always respectful and took care of her. They almost look at her like she’s a little sister. Especially this ‘A’ squad this year, they’re an awesome group of kids. They take care good of her and the coaches have been great as well.”
Jennifer Sirois said she was happy with her daughter’s decision to play football. The Siroises also have a son, Bobby, 11, who plays football for East Lynn, and a daughter, Sarah, 13, who was a member of East Lynn’s national championship cheerleading ‘D’ squad.
“I think football is a good sport for Kaley,” said Jennifer Sirois. “She loves the game. She’s very smart. She gets it. And the boys respect her. She’s gained a lot of confidence and it’s made her a better athlete.”
East Lynn head coach Dave Ball said Kaley Sirois is the first girl that he’s coached since taking over the ‘A’ team in 2005.
“Being the father of two daughters (Jessica and Nicole), it’s not unique for me to coach a girl. I coached softball in Wyoma Little League. It’s been different but Kaley had played quarterback throughout her career in East Lynn and I talked her into coming up to the ‘A’ squad and being one of our quarterbacks [with Curtis Anderson].”
Sirois has drawn starting assignments at quarterback and impressed the coaches with her leadership.
“She took her lumps and bumps but she’s made steady progress and she’s a great kid,” said Ball. “She’s going to be a starting quarterback for us next season as well, I hope. She’s a really good athlete and technically she has fine quarterbacking skills. She’s a smart kid who has done a really good job learning all the plays.”
Kaley Sirois said it’s been a very good season, one highlighted by an upset of Revere in the first round of the playoffs.
“It’s been a lot of fun playing on this team,” said Kaley. “I like football and I think it’s a great base for the other sports I play. The boys treat me really nicely and respectfully. I hope to be back and play football for East Lynn Pop Warner next year.”
Asked if she knew her father was an outstanding high school football player, she smiled and said, “I heard about him.”
And who is Kaley’s favorite NFL player?
“Tom Brady,” she responded unhesitatingly.