By Owen Lentner
One of the highlights of the homecoming season is the annual girls flag football game, also known as “powder puff,” which is scheduled for Tuesday.
The game has become a tradition not only at BHS but all around the United States and Canada. Its original name comes from the make up tool – a powder puff – used to apply cosmetic face powder. The name, “powder puff”, has been the subject of controversy in recent years with some think the name is derogatory towards women.
At BHS the annual girl’s flag football game pits a team of seniors against a team of juniors. This year, the girls flag football game will be held Tuesday on the turf right after school.
Typically, the players on the two teams generate excitement in the days leading up to the competition, hanging signs and wearing team gear on game day. Although official records are not kept, the senior girls team has won a majority of the games in the last 25 years.
“Powder puff is basically friends versus friends,” said junior Stella Andresem. “I haven’t heard much [about the seniors playing] but we’re pretty good this year. We have a lot of athletes in this grade and girls who are really strong and powerful.”
Several seniors said they were also looking forward to a good game.
“I think, as most of us know, seniors are always going to come out on top,” said senior Morgan Hackley. “I think it’s gonna be a really fun game this year.”
When asked if she had anything to say about the senior opponents, junior Lily Gagliardi said “The seniors are being a little too confident.”
Hackley and other class officers are also organizing to the bake sale at the game. They will be selling baked goods, coffee, and hot cocoa at the game. All proceeds are going to the senior prom fund.
“Last year [the bake sale] was incredibly successful and we were able to raise a bunch of money…” said Hackley.
The adoption and starting out of powder puff games actually started in Wallingford, CT according to Wikipedia. In 1972, a phys-ed teacher and coach named Judy Samaha began incorporating girls into sports games and activities when she taught PE at Sheehan High School. Wanting to get more girls incorporated in a predominantly male sport, she contacted Lyman Hall to set up a game between them.
This football game was then adopted by other Connecticut towns with it eventually starting to spread around the country. Schools in California, Colorado, Iowa, and many more still hold an annual girls flag football game.
The Samaha Bowl, named after Judy Samaha, is the name of their girls football game still held annually in Wallingford. The game takes place the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, it is also the longest running powder puff game in the United States.
