Powder puff pride at stake

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:44:11 GMT

By Shezaf Reif

Photo by Maithili Jalihal
Senior powderpuff cheerleaders practice their toe-touches for today’s game against the juniors. Mark Ringle, center, is the captain of the senior cheer squad.

The junior-senior rivalry is finally going face to face in the ultimate competition of the year. The 22-year-old tradition of the Powder-Puff football game continues today at 4 p.m. as the girls fight for bragging rights on the field while the boys root for them on the side lines, pompoms and all. This year’s game should be especially interesting as the seniors are returning champions and hope to graduate with back-to-backpowder puff victories. “As far as one can remember, there has never been a class that has won two years in a row,” said leadership adviser Eileen Mantz. The seniors are confident that the victory will be theirs. Senior Shane Pittson, one of the team’s coaches, said the team looks good. “The seniors will go undefeated for sure,” said Pittson. “The juniors may have more players, but we have better quality players.” Despite their confidence and enthusiasm, the seniors have had trouble coordinating practices with senior activities getting in the way. Like the seniors, the juniors are looking forward to the game today. “This is the time where our aggression comes out,” said junior Ashley Green. “It’s really exciting.” Junior coach Max Schultz is positive that a junior victory will be achieved, even though coaching the players is difficult sometimes. “Teaching the girls that don’t know anything about football is hard,” said Schultz. “We’re going to smoke the seniors anyways.” The guys will do their part, too, from the side lines. The junior male cheerleaders have decided not to cheer for their team this year. But the senior boys have nearly a dozen cheerleaders ready to root for their team. Tickets are $5 at the football field gates for the game, which could be one for the record books.

The Californian

Powder puff pride at stake