By Caden Simpson – Staff Reporter 

After four years, Jonathan Law brought home the Powder Puff trophy in thrilling fashion.

Law defeated Foran 8-6 in double overtime to win the wildest – and coldest – Powder Puff game in history. The team of over 60 junior and senior girls practiced for two weeks to prepare for the annual game, which was cancelled last year due to COVID.

“Our win against Foran felt amazing, especially since we hadn’t won against them in four years,” senior outside linebacker Hailey Boyle said. “The team really worked hard and all that any of us wanted was to win.”

The game was a defensive battle for all of regulation with neither offense able to advance the ball past the opponent 25-yard-line. The first overtime was also scoreless thanks to key tackles by senior Shelby Green and junior Kalli Kinsman.

Foran scored on the first possession of the second overtime to but Law stopped the two-point conversion to keep the score 6-0.

After a penalty pushed the Law offense back to the 18-yard-line, senior quarterback Sabrina Lawless connected on third down with senior Lucia Pino for the dramatic game-tying touchdown.

Law appeared to be stopped on the ensuing two-point conversion but junior Elly van Waveren somehow escaped the entire Foran defense, zig-zagging her way from one side of the field to the other and diving into the corner of the end zone as her teammates and the Law student section stormed the field.

“Running the winning play was so exciting,” van Waveren said. “The team really pulled through and our dedication got us through.”

Head coach Mr. Kulenych said the end of the game left him speechless.

“It’s impossible to put into words how it felt to win this year’s game,” Kulenych said. “It was the most dramatic, competitive, and exhilarating Powder Puff game in history and I could not be prouder of the girls for their effort and their performance. The defense was lights out all game, the offense made huge plays when it mattered most, and watching Elly cross the goal line and the entire student section rushing the field is a moment that will give all of us goosebumps forever.”

The Powder Puff team was led to victory by four captains: Green, running back Sydney Simpson, wide receiver Lauren Davis, and linebacker Grace Kantor.

“The game was a great experience, especially being a captain,” said Simpson, who had over 100 yards rushing in the game. “Helping to lead the team was an honor, and the other captains would agree that it felt good to see our hard work pay off and win.”

Green was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. She led Law in flags on defense, and played guard, tackle, and tight end on offense.

“In practice, we worked really hard to learn all about football offense and defense,” Green said. “Our coaches did an amazing job teaching us all of that in just 10 days and our hard work really showed in the end”.

Due to COVID, senior and junior girls were unable to participate in PowderPuff in 2020, which meant practices required lots of effort and dedication.

“This year was definitely different preparation-wise because none of the girls had ever played in a Powder Puff game before,” Kulenych said. “The girls had a lot to learn in just 10 practices, but they soaked up a ton of information, worked hard, got better every day, and it all paid off in the end. It was a total team effort.”

Members of this year’s Powder Puff team recommended the underclassmen play next year.

“I would encourage all sophomores to play and take your opportunity,” junior Hailey Oliver said. “The adrenaline from the game and game itself is worth it and a great high school experience.”

Not only was the game exciting for the team, but for the students as well.

“PowderPuff was definitely an interesting game to watch,” sophomore Helen Chizmazia said. “Watching the entire student section rushing the field after the winning play was an unforgettable game and made me excited to play next year.”