Senior-freshman team takes Powder Puff victory
By Sam Waller
The Feed Store’s second annual Powder Puff flag football game took some juggling of schedules to get in after being delayed because of wet grounds earlier this month, but eventually accomplished its task.
Senior Briley Tabor was involved in four touchdowns as the Pink team (seniors and freshmen) defeated the Purple (juniors and sophomores) 42-31 on Wednesday, May 17 at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.
“It turned out to be a great day with a little bit of cloud cover, so it wasn’t as hot as it could’ve been,” Feed Store director Tisha Wilkins said. “We were very glad to get the game in because that was our last date available.”
Junior Robin Lucas threw for three touchdowns and rushed for two to lead the Purple team.
It was the second year in a row the Pink team claimed the glitter-covered trophy, although none of last year’s victors can boast of taking part in the repeat. Last year’s format of seniors-sophomores vs. juniors-freshmen meant this year’s sophomores were the only players to play for the team they did last year.
The game was the final event of the school year for The Feed Store.
“Our Tuesday lunches are over for this school year,” Wilkins said. “We’ll start back up in August. We’re looking forward to closing out this year and planning for next.”
The Pink scored on its first two possessions with spreadback Tabor running for the first TD and passing to Mimi Ivy for the second. Meanwhile, the Purple team struggled to move, turning the ball over on downs twice before Lucas, who also operated as a spreadback, ran for a TD.
Caroline Chapman, who comes from a long line of quartberbacks, connected with Tabor for a score just before halftime as the Pink team pushed its lead to 20-7. Chapman also completed three two-point conversion passes, two to Madi Parrott and one to Ella Webb.
The Purple team was inside the 10-yard line when the half ended.
Chapman started the second half by intercepting Purple quarterback Carisa Barrera. That set up Tabor’s second TD run for a 28-7 lead.
The Purple battled back with Lucas passing to Myleigh Leveridge for a TD, then held on downs, putting the team in position to close within one score.
Those hopes were thwarted when Presley Green made the defensive play of the day, intercepting a pass and returning it for a touchdown and a 36-13 lead.
The Purple kept the pressure on with Lucas sandwiching two TD passes to Callan Edgar around her second rushing TD.
Chloe Anderson provided the clincher for the Pink when she raced 50 yards to score on the team’s final play.
Kaisley Bartee and Gracie Price also caught passes for the Pink, while Robyn Trail and Maria Hufschmidt joined Lucas and Barrera with receptions for the Purple. Brooklyn Abbate caught a conversion pass from Barrera in the first half.
Wilkins said the game would not have been possible without participation of the students involved and the assistance of numerous volunteers.
The Pink team was coached by senior boys with junior boys coaching the Purple. Cheerleaders Michael Sadler, Jonathan Coody, and Landon
Picquet kept the crowd pumped up, while members of The Feed Store Student Council and Senior Ambassadors not actively participating in the action handled a number of duties.
“Underclassmen who were not playing were our gate greeters who handed out programs and passed out water,” Wilkins said. “They also assisted the teams with water.”
Rod Britting, John Gallagher, and Cameron Dacus served as officials with Trent Tankersley and Gary Vickers working as the chain gang.
Behind the scenes, Amanda Tabor served as the event photographer. T-shirts for both teams and support staff were created by Ariel Rabb and Rockin 3 Hearts, while the promotional poster was created by David Waller and Western Trail Design.
Sydney Key returned as the voice of the Powder Puff game, being heard on a sound system provided by John Caldwell.
“And thanks to the school district for allowing us to use the stadium,” Wilkins said.
