To kick off homecoming festivities, girls from every grade level in GLHS came together to play a flag football tournament. Traditionally titled ‘Powderpuff Football,’ this is a well-loved homecoming tradition that friends, families, and other students all come to watch. The Juniors won over Freshman, 6-0, in the opening game, while Seniors won over Sophomores in the second game with the same score. 

After a quick break, the Seniors warmed up for the championship game against the Juniors. The first half ended scoreless, as both other games had, but after the second half finished there was a suspenseful pause with the two teams tied 6-6. After just a few short minutes of overtime, Ava Clark (Senior) caught the ball in the endzone, bringing the class of 2024 their second Powderpuff championship win.

Many girls described Powderpuff as a great way for girls of the same grade to get to know each other better and form new friendships. “I feel very bonded to my team,” Lainey Evans, a center for the seniors, said “I got a lot closer with the people in our grade.”

However, others described tension within their team. “I wish everyone would be nicer to each other, and not get so upset when we start losing,” Emily Wallas, a senior on offensive line, stated. 

A part of the reason for this drawback could be in the way the game was set up. When asked what they would change about Powderpuff, players had lots of constructive feedback. After speaking about the shortness of the halves, junior Ava Delayne stated, “I think it needs to be more like a real football game.” 

Others believed the informal state of the game was what made it fun. “Everyone kind of didn’t know what was going on, and it was fun to be part of the chaos,” Lydia Jagger, a sophomore who played safety, stated.

Despite the flaws, the majority of players enjoyed the experience. 

“We should have more games,” Evans stated, “for winter homecoming, and for every single week we should have a game, throughout the whole entire school year.”