Friday night lights don’t just shine on the players; they also shine on the people working hard behind the scenes. For sisters Ava and Sophia Drnjevich, managing the high school football team has become a big part of their lives, even if they didn’t plan it that way at first.
Ava was approached by a family friend, Jim Feather (Fez), the long-time equipment manager, to help out for just a couple of days. “Ava was asked to help by Fez for a couple of days, but ended up doing it full-time after those days,” Sophia said. Sophia joined later when extra help was needed on game nights.
“Sophia got into it when Ava and Marissa needed help on Friday nights,” Ava explained.
The sisters say they took on the role mostly to support someone they care about. “We wanted to take on this role so we could help out Fez,” Sophia said. What started as a small favor quickly turned into a regular commitment.
Their responsibilities are a lot more than people might expect. Ava handles things like jersey prep and laundry during the week, and on game days, she helps keep players hydrated and assists wherever needed. Sophia focuses on making sure water bottles stay full during games. While it may not sound glamorous, their work is essential to keeping the game from beginning to end running smoothly.
Even though they’re sisters, working together isn’t always perfect. “Most days are easier because we know each other so well, but some days all we do is fight,” Ava admitted. They also said they “run into a lot of disagreements,” but that’s just part of the job while being siblings.
A typical game day is busy from start to finish. The day begins with traveling to the field, unloading equipment, and prepping water bottles. During the game, they walk the sidelines, making sure players stay hydrated. Afterward, they collect equipment and uniforms before heading back. It’s a long day that requires a lot of energy and focus.
Behind-the-scenes work is just as important. “Some things people don’t see or realize is we do the laundry and fold all the jerseys,” Sophia said. It’s the kind of work that often goes unrecognized but makes a big difference for the team.
Despite their busy schedule, the sisters say balancing school and managing isn’t too difficult. “It’s actually pretty easy… we have time left after all the prepping, so we do (our work) then,” Ava said.
Like any commitment, the job comes with challenges. For them, the hardest part is “waking up early Saturday morning after a late Friday night game.” Still, the experience has helped them grow. They’ve developed skills like time management, communication, and responsibility that will help them in their future.
The sisters believe managers play an important role in a team’s success. “The role we play is just being there for the team and whatever they need help with, and make sure they stay hydrated,” Sophia said.
Through it all, they’ve found ways to stay organized and keep up with the fast pace. “We stay organized by focusing on one thing at a time,” Ava explained.
More than anything, the experience has made a personal impact. “This has impacted us by teaching us important life lessons that will help us in the future and even right now,” Sophia said.
For anyone thinking about becoming a team manager, they have simple advice: “It’s not always easy, but it really is a fun and great thing to get into to help out.”
When asked about their favorite memory, their answer says it all: “Probably just spending every day with Fez and Marissa and always having a good laugh.”
While they may not be the ones scoring touchdowns, Ava and Sophia Drnjevich prove that every team needs people behind the scenes. Sometimes, those people are sisters working side by side.
