Seniors Blank the Juniors in Powderpuff
The Class of 2022 Powderpuff team with their coaches after beating the Juniors 22-0. (Photo: Zach Infeld)
In the yearly powderpuff game, the Senior class pulled off what was widely seen as an upset, blanking the Juniors 22-0 on a windy Tuesday afternoon on the Coginchaug turf.
“We were certainly the underdogs,” said Senior Sam Paul. “We came in with a lot of intensity and spirit: that’s how we ended up winning.”
Paul was the key for the Seniors, as she scored all three touchdowns – one offensive rush and two interceptions returned to the end zone.
The first half was a back and forth affair, with each team turning the ball over until the half was almost finished. After a timeout for the Seniors, a surprise early snap sent Paul on her way across the field to the end zone. The Seniors failed to convert on the two-point conversion, giving them a 6-0 lead entering the half.
The second half was closer, with the Juniors, led by Kiyah Kulpik and Katie Farr, leading drives down the field, only being stopped by the defense of the Seniors. The windy conditions didn’t allow the passing plan for the Junior class to work, with two interceptions thrown, both ending up in Senior touchdowns. The final one was in the closing minute of the game. That was enough to seal the deal, giving the Class of 2022 the win.
The work ethic demonstrated by the Senior class was prevalent in their victory. “We had three practices a week,” explained Paul, “as well as certain plays.”
For the juniors, what could be seen as a disappointment was spun in a better light. “We put up a hard fight,” said Farr, Jackie Kelly, and Hannah Nielsen. “The conditions didn’t especially help us. We have an athletic class, and we’ll certainly get it next year [against the class of 2024].”
This is the first win for the Senior class since 2018. The Class of 2021 (who were the Juniors) won against the Class of 2020 in 2019. Powderpuff was not played in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Powderpuff was a fundraiser for the Senior class council, who received profits from ticket sales to help lessen the cost of prom. The Junior class council ran the concession stand.
