The football field bustles with activity as players run laps and execute plays. Shoes are laced and pads are intact as these athletes prepare for victory. While on most occasions the stand-out color is green, today the color is pink.
Powderpuff football is a long-standing tradition where, instead of boys facing off, it is senior girls versus junior girls. This unique football game requires some initial know-how, and the pressure is on the coaches who practice with the ladies..
Senior Coach Patrick Tally volunteered for the position when a group of his friends asked him. While he may not be in football himself, he has spent free time going to sporting events and supporting the Packers.
“This year we’re just trying to have fun and have some Packer pride,” Tally said.
Tally’s love for the game also shows in his own activities. Tally plays second base in baseball and is involved in his church’s basketball league. Tally’s interest in sports began a young age, causing him to continue athletics throughout high school.
“We’ve always kind of played backyard sports when we were kids,” Tally said.
This love of sports is shown in his willingness to coach Powderpuff. Senior coach Garrett Peterson, co-coaching with Tally, looked forward to the Powderpuff challenge, saying that the only hard part about the game was the placement.
“The hardest thing about it is getting everyone in,” Peterson said. “The girls all want to play.”
Peterson also volunteered with his friends to coach, but while he’s not on the football team, he’s had some experience working on a team. As the first baseman and pitcher on the baseball team, he’s had some practice competing.
Although his favorite part of Homecoming is the pep rally, Peterson also enjoys seeing everyone together in the stands. This school spirit was evident in the way he dressed. All decked out in white, Peterson was ready for spirit week.
What was more obvious than the wardrobe was how his team reacted to his school spirit. Running-back for the Senior team, Andrina Brogden, felt encouraged to see her coaches having fun and supporting her throughout the week.
“They were very into it, and very serious about it,” Brogden said. “They went through what the play was like and then showed us how it should look. They were definitely excited for the game.”