By Maddie Stroin
Review Special Writer
Last week during homecoming week at Lake Orion High School, the Junior girls shocked the world ? or at least Dragon world ? with their surprising victory over the Senior girls in the annual Powderpuff flag football game.
Every year during Homecoming week, the Leadership Development Workshop and the athletic department at the high school work to put on this event together.?
? The girls practiced after school on the three days leading up to the game. ‘With more than 100 girls on the Senior team and almost 100 on the Junior team, the practices were extremely busy. ‘The teams were coached by high school teachers. ‘The coaches had limited time to teach the girls some plays, place each girl in a position, and scrimmage. ?
? That is where the Senior advantage usually comes into play. ‘Because the Seniors had last year to learn the rules of the game and have some experience on the field, they usually are more advanced than their younger classmates. ‘That was not the case this year. ‘The Seniors did know a few advanced plays but that knowledge did them very little good when competing with the incredible speed of the Junior team. ? The juniors were led by their two wings, Hannah Cady and Alexandra Carpenter.
? ? The Class of 2014 started out strong, scoring two touchdowns before the Juniors even neared the end zone. ‘The game began to shift in the second quarter and the Juniors went into halftime with the lead.
? The Seniors fought back during the second quarter. ‘The game was neck-and-neck throughout the third and fourth quarter. ‘Finally the Seniors took back the lead late in the fourth quarter.
? ? The seniors left a little too much time on the clock and the Juniors took advantage. ‘They took the lead with a last-minute touchdown and a two-point conversion. ? ? ??
This year’s game was the highest scoring Powderpuff game in Lake Orion history. ‘The time ran out with a score of 36-35.?
? ? For many of the Senior girls, this was a devastating loss. ‘After suffering a defeat last year to the seniors, the Class of 2014 hoped to finally get their name engraved on the Powderpuff trophy.
? For seniors like Sarah Remer the game was more than just a rivalry between the two classes; it was a sibling rivalry, as well.
? ‘It was hard to lose to my little sister, but I’m really glad that I got to play against her my last year,? Remer said.
?? The victory was bittersweet for the younger Remer sister.
? ‘Beating the seniors was really unexpected because we kind of accepted the fact that the seniors always seem to win. I felt bad beating my sister her senior year but it also felt good to be the class to do it,? junior Megan Remer said.?
? The competition was fierce, but the traditions surrounding the game made the event truly special. ‘On the day of the game, the classes spent all day painting the rock and trying to defend it from the opposing grade. ‘Before the game, the Seniors painted their faces with tribal war paint in an attempt to intimidate the younger girls who faced them on the line.
? ? On the sidelines the cheerleaders in both grades painted their stomachs to cheer on their class, just like the boys paint their chests to support the varsity football players’on Friday’nights. ?
The Senior student section spent time altering the Dragon cheers to support their Senior ladies. ‘Instead of spelling out Dragons, the students chanted S-E-N-I-O-R-S.
? ? Even though the Seniors were disappointed, many memories were made and traditions were kept alive. ? As the coaches addressed the Senior team after the loss, the Leadership President, Bethany Kogut reminded everyone that even though they were divided by class today,’on Friday everyone must come together and ‘bleed green.?
Editor’s note: The author of this story is one of those disappointed seniors