By Harrison Fisher – Staff Reporter

Mr. O’Reilly is a paraprofessional at Jonathan Law and was one of the coaches for this year’s Powder Puff team. Law defeated Foran 8-6 in a thrilling double overtime game to earn Law’s first Powder Puff win in four years. Advocate Staff Reporter Harrison Fisher interviewed O’Reilly about this year’s memorable finish.

Harrison Fisher: How excited were you when Law won the Powder Puff game? 

Mr. O’Reilly: I was in complete disbelief and ended up just laughing for the first few minutes. I didn’t even join the dog pile in the end zone. I stayed away just trying to believe what I just saw. But as everything settled down, I thought it was the most incredible win I’ve ever experienced, which includes a state playoff win over a one- seeded Berlin team that was the favorite to win it all. 

HF: What were some of the factors that helped Law get the victory? 

MO:I think the biggest factor that secured our victory was having Shelby Green and Kalli Kinsman end up playing both ways towards the end. Shelby was a linebacker who we ended up putting on the offensive line as well. We knew she was strong, and even though she didn’t know how to play the position, her additional blocking was huge. But Kalli Kinsman ended up playing both offensive tackle and defensive end. Everyone remembers the touchdown to Lucia and the Elly two point conversion. But the biggest play of the whole game was in the first overtime. Foran got it to the three yard line. They ran a double reverse which we bit on multiple times. A touchdown would’ve resulted in us losing but Kali read the play to perfection. Kalli had a 15-yard tackle for loss. One of the best defensive plays I’ve ever seen in any football game. 

HF: How did you think you were in your first year of coaching Powder Puff? 

MO: I believe I did an above average job coaching Powder Puff. I always want to find room for improvement, so I like to look back to see what I could’ve done differently. I always hope to adapt as a coach. 

HF: What were the drills you worked on most in practice?

MO: The drill we did the most defensively was a four-cone, one-on-one flag drill with a baller carrier. Offensively, we ran our plays as much as possible until they remembered them by heart. Having quick hands to grab flags is one of the most important skills in the sport.

HF: Do you have the same expectations that you had in Powder Puff the same in girls basketball? 

MO: My expectations are always high in basketball. They remain unchanged from years prior, which is to receive a home game in the state playoffs. However, Powder Puff was very different because you only have one game. You put all your eggs in a basket, where you hope to improve for the postseason. Powder Puff felt like you’re preparing for a championship and that was the expectation we set.