CRESTVIEW— In the two years that Crestview High School has fielded a flag football team, Jessie Hinton has become a mainstay.
Hinton, a defensive end and linebacker who occasionally sees action on offense, is the squad's one returning senior. Hinton, a member of the school’s Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, is a leader on and off the field for the Bulldogs, Coach Matt Sanders said.
“Jessie has been with the program since it started,” Sanders said. “For the most part, she’s a defensive player because of her athleticism.
“Her discipline from ROTC really shows. If I tell Jessie to do something, it’s going get done. She does exactly what I tell her to do and how (I tell her) to do it.”
Sanders, in his first year coaching the team, said he relies on Hinton to help him with information about opponents.
“She’s almost like a walking scouting report,” he said. “She’s that kind of girl."
We now catch up with Jessie Hinton.
Q: How old were you when you started playing flag football?
A: I’ve always played backyard flag football.
Q: What's the best part of flag football?
A: The best part of flag football is definitely coming out every night and representing the team.
Q: What's the worst part of flag football?
A: Losing.
Q: What are your expectations this season?
A: I definitely hope we can win a bunch of more games because we have a really good team and we can do it.
Q: If you had to pick a different sport to play, what would it be?
A: Soccer. I love soccer.
Q: What are your hobbies outside flag football?
A: I’m in ROTC and I work with the Army. I’m already enlisted.
Q: What's your dream career?
A: I’m going in the Army as a Military Police K9 handler.
Q: Do you want to play college football?
A: I would love to at Florida. That’s always been my favorite school.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: “She’s the Man.”
Q: Who is your favorite singer?
A: Sam Smith.
Q: If you could be a cartoon character, who would you be?
A: Green Lantern, because integrity is what he stands for.
Email News Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SPOTLIGHT: Bulldog senior stands out in flag football