Junior Keira Riley steps out onto the field for the first kickoff of the Powderpuff homecoming game. While she analyzes her opponents she quickly gazes into the stands, and then back to the field. The student section looks full and it starts to get louder. Then amongst it all, the first whistle blows. The game has begun.
On Wednesday Oct. 1, the annual girls Powderpuff game is to be held at McCracken Field. The junior and senior ladies will go head to head to battle for the trophy.
“I think Powderpuff is really good for our student body,” junior Keira Riley says. “It’s so interesting to see the relationships being built between different groups of people.”
Juniors and seniors get to build a stronger bond with each other while participating in the match.
“It’s also so cool to see the different grade levels interact with each other outside of school,” Riley says.
Seniors are planning to play hard and take the win to celebrate their ‘lasts’ this year at MCHS.
“It is such a bittersweet moment as we are all playing as a team and getting all the girls together for one of the last times,” senior Giada Hagi says. “Getting to bond with my class is the best and of course, winning this year is going to feel even better than last year.”
The class that wins receives a trophy at the end, and they get the glory of keeping it until next year’s game.
“Winning would feel so good after last year’s loss, ” says Hagi. ”When it’s with the people you have grown up with and have shared so many memories with, you want to win for each other and get to make another amazing memory. Getting to defeat our junior friends would also make the night a great memory as well.”
Thanks to the Powderpuff game, the girls get to have one night where they feel what it’s like being under the spotlight, hearing the student section roar after a touchdown. This event can even be empowering for the ladies, especially if they are not involved in any other sports.
“I think that since usually most girls wouldn’t go out for the actual football or flag football team,” junior Addison Levine says, “this is a good opportunity for them to get out there and do something they might really enjoy.”
At practices, junior and senior coaches come up with plays for the girls and assist them in scrimmage. As positions are assigned, coaches help their team excel in their strengths.
“I’m very excited,” junior coach Hunter Weisenberger says. “I enjoy being a part of Powderpuff because I have played football my entire life and I enjoy seeing people enjoy it and bond over something that is a major part of my life.”
As the game ends, the ladies step off the field. Many take pictures together and celebrate. The student section makes their way to their cars. Another season of Powderpuff has come to a close, and now all anyone can think about is the Homecoming Dance on the upcoming Saturday.