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‘Turkey’ mania hits PB

Grassi’s efforts on the gridiron gain nationwide attention

The Inter-Mountain photos by Joey Kittle Layna ‘Turkey’ Grassi kicks one of her seven successful extra-point kicks during Philip Barbour’s 52-7 victory over Grafton Friday night at George Byrer Field. The junior also booted a 30-yard field goal and threw a touchdown pass off a low snap on a field-goal attempt.

PHILIPPI — Layna Grassi, known by “Turkey” among the Philip Barbour High School faithful, became a star on social media over the weekend for her efforts on the football field.

The junior kicker not only kicked seven extra points and a 30-yard field goal, she threw a touchdown pass on a botched field-goal attempt during the Colts’ 52-7 win over Big 10 Conference rival Grafton at George Byrer Field at BC Bank Park.

A video clip of Grassi’s touchdown pass drew over 40,000 views and 27,000 likes on Instagram, along with receiving notice by the NFL, USA Today, MaxPreps.com and Yahoo.com.

Friday night’s football game was the beginning of a busy weekend for Grassi.

On Saturday morning, she ran for the school’s cross country team in a meet and later suited up for the Lady Colt soccer team at home in a rematch against Charleston Catholic from the 2021 Class AA-A state championship game.

Layna Grassi (11) is shown during the Lady Colts’ soccer matchup against Charleston Catholic Saturday in a rematch of last year’s Class AA-A state championship game.

During the spring season, Grassi also participates in swimming and track and field.

She was a state qualifier in 2021 in the pool in the 100 breaststroke and three different relay events.

The Philip Barbour football team returns to action Friday night at Clay County.

The Lady Colts soccer squad, meanwhile, begins Big 10 Conference play at 8 p.m. today at Robert C. Byrd.

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