Kayla Marshall knows what it’s like to lead cheers.
She also knows what it’s like to receive them.
Marshall is a senior at Franklin Towne Charter High School, and she’s quite the athlete running track and cross country, while also starring on the Warriors cheerleading team.
There, on top of cheering at competitions, she comes out to support her school at various athletic events.
In the spring, however, she steps away from cheerleading, at least during flag football games where she’s one of the top players on the team.
Though she could be responsible for a lot of the cheers at the game, and not just when she’s making plays.
“The second game we played, the boys basketball team showed up,” said Marshall, who lives in Bridesburg. “When we cheer, we’re calling out specific players. Every single game. They weren’t cheering loud enough, so I said, ‘I was calling you guys out, you come to my games I haven’t heard my name once. You guys need to work on your cheerleading.’
“They got better. I said, ‘I’m not hearing you guys.’ My coach was laughing because I was yelling at them. They got better after I told them what to do.”
Marshall has been using her voice as well as her athletic skills to have a lot of fun since she entered Franklin Towne.
But since starting to play football, the running back and linebacker has become fearsome instead of friendly. At least during her time on the field.
That comes from her dad, a former Camden football star
“My dad did high school football for Camden High in Jersey, and then I found out there would be a flag football team when I was a sophomore,” Marshall said. “My dad was encouraging me and practicing with me because I didn’t know anything leading up to tryouts. I worked hard so I could make the team.
“I have a younger brother, too, and he would make us run routes for hours and hours. So even if he didn’t have time, he would tell us to go out together and practice without him.
“It was really cool. I think it made him really happy because football, he loved it, so to be able to play it again through one of his kids, he enjoyed it. And it was fun for me because it was a good bonding moment for us. He’s a good coach and he helped me a lot.”
It might sound unusual for a dad to teach his daughter how to play football, but if you know the family, you wouldn’t think twice. Marshall has a huge family, and the best part is no matter what’s going on, they all love being around each other.
She has three older siblings, Tori, Nina and Clay. She also has five younger siblings: Kevin, Eli, Preston, Easton and Zayden.
The family loves spending time together, but when it comes to playing sports – or even board games – things can get pretty competitive.
But it’s always in good fun.
“I’m very close with my family,” Marshall said. “When we were little, there were no phones, I went outside and play with my siblings. And lots of board games that get very competitive. I’m always going to say I’m the best, but my little brother, he gives me a run for my money. It’s neck and neck.
“We are all always there for each other, though. I get help for school projects from my oldest sister. When it comes to needing advice, I have Nina. Play sports? I’m looking to my brothers. Of course my younger siblings, I’ll help them. We’re good at different things and we’ll all be there for each other. Everyone thinks a big family, they’re like, ‘What was your family thinking?’ But to be in it, it’s so much fun.
“I haven’t talked about my mom yet, I should give her a shoutout. She raised all nine of us. My dad worked, so shoutout to her. She was an athlete, she played softball and cheerleader. They both always made sure we had everything. We always have fun.”
There’s plenty of time for fun.
But when it comes down to business, Marshall is on point.
“Next year I hope to go to Penn State,” said Marshall, who maintains a 4.3 grade point average and is in the top 5 percent of her class. “They don’t have a flag football team, but they have a flag football club and then I think the sport is really big and expanding. I hope to try to make it an actual real team. I think with it appearing in the Olympics, schools are picking it up.”
Wherever she winds up, she’ll major in chemistry, with hopes of someday becoming a doctor. She has the grades for it.
“I have to work for it and I have a lot of help, but I do pretty well in school,” Marshall said. “At Franklin Towne, they stress being a student-athlete, they stress academics. Plus at Franklin Towne, if you don’t understand something, the teachers are great about explaining it. They’ll come to you. If you’re lost, they’ll help you.”
The Warriors are just getting started in their spring football league, but Marshall has high hopes for her final year.
She knows no matter what happens, it will be fun.
“I’m very excited about the season,” Marshall said. “We have a great coach and we have a lot of players who really love the game. I think we could have a very good year.”
