Seniors dominate to win Powder Puff contest

When the Maricopa Rams took to the gridiron Monday night, shoulder pads and eye-black gave way to flags and glitter. The normal red and black worn by the Rams was replaced by a sea of pink on the field and in the stands.

Monday Night Football came to Maricopa in the form of the 2nd Annual Powder Puff Game played between ladies from the senior and junior classes, with bragging rights on the line for the upper class. “These girls are out here to win,” said senior-class head coach and event co-sponsor Megan Tyler. “They’re competitors!”

That competitive fire was quickly evident on the second play from scrimmage when senior Britney Parks ran a sweep off the left side, taking the ball 79 yards for a quick touchdown. After failing to convert on a fourth down on their own 34-yard line, the junior class then gave up another quick score, as senior Jalissa Bell covered the distance to the end zone in a quick sprint off the right side.

The junior class was again unsuccessful in converting on third down, but this time opted to punt the ball away. But a solid return from Parks gave the senior class possession at the junior 37-yard line. Again, the seniors were able to cover the distance in one play, as Champagne Reed dropped back to pass, but opted to run the ball instead. Her scamper up the middle gave the senior class an 18-0 lead after only four plays run by the seniors.

Action slowed down for much of the rest of the first half of play. After their early failed attempts to push the ball downfield, the juniors were able to move the ball with relative ease. But each time they threatened to score, the senior defense would force a key turnover.

With time running down in the first half, Parks was able to again make a key play for the seniors, breaking away on a 61-yard run that would extend the senior lead to 24-0 at the half.

Most of the second half found the junior class with the ball trying to find their way into the end zone for a score. Time and again, they were able to mount extended drives that pushed the ball deep into their opponents territory. But every time, a turnover would cost them a chance to score.

Midway through the second half, the seniors were able to capitalize on one of those turnovers, as Reed would run the ball 75 yards from scrimmage to score once more for the senior class. Despite numerous attempts by the junior class to score, they were unable to punch the ball into the end zone, ultimately falling to the seniors, 30-0.

The win marked the second for the Class of 2010, who won the inaugural Powder Puff Game as juniors in 2008.

“This game has really been all about coming out here and having a good time,” Tyler said. “I told the girls, and the boys who have come out as volunteers to help coach them, that this is all about having a good time! And, to raise money for a good cause!”

All proceeds from the event are to go to the Susan G. Komen Three-Day Breast Cancer Walk.

Photo by David Vargas