Powder puff game showcases female athletes
Photo by Quinn Williams
Sophomore Leialoha Medeiros maneuvers her way around opponent Junior Shayna Tamanaha at the powder puff football game Wednesday, December 17, at Kana’iaupuni Stadium. Medeiros made one touchdown, contributing to the yellow team’s win, 13-12.
Following the Wednesday’s evacuation drill, high school students filed into the stands of Kana’iaupuni Stadium to watch the powder puff flag football game.
“Girls from both teams really showed what terrific athletes they are. Great speed out there and athletic minds,” said Mr. Kevin O’Brien, history teacher and coach of the yellow team.
Four female representatives from each class were divided into 2 teams, one yellow and one red. Coaches for both teams were teachers and staff, and Coach Bala Spencer (with his Viking hat and kazoo whistle) and Kumu Ladd Akeo were the referees.
Mr. Kaholo Rickard helped coach the yellow team, while the red team was coached by 9th and 10th grade principal Mr. Lance Cagasan and vice principal Mr. Leo Delatori.
“It was fun; it was a lot of fun. We have a lot of athletic girls at school,” Mr. Delatori said.
This year’s powder puff football game differed from last year’s in that it followed the evacuation drill and was held at the football field as opposed to being held in the quad during lunch.
“There’s a lot of seats for everyone to sit down and actually watch rather than the quad,” said Junior Rylie Velez.
Spectators enjoyed the better view, though audience and players alike weren’t fond of the hot weather.
“Playing in the stadium was all right. It was hot, but made the game feel more real-ish,” senior participant Brianna Abe said.
In the first half, sophomore quarterback of the yellow team Montana Vaught made a scoring pass to freshman Ashley Peralta, who caught the ball in the end zone, scoring 6 for the yellow team. Vaught topped off their score with the extra point, making the score 7-0.
Freshman Kimani Fernandez-Roy helped the red team keep up with their opponents by scoring a touchdown after a long and speedy run.
The half time score was 7-6.
In the second half, yellow kept up their lead with 6 more points from sophomore Leialoha Medeiros, which was matched by the red team’s quarterback Megan Miguel, who scored another 6 points. Neither team scored the extra point, and the game ended yellow victorious at 13-12.
