[ot-caption title=”The senior and junior girls took the field last Thursday to compete in the annual Homecoming Powderpuff game, in which the Class of 2015 emerged victorious for the second-straight year. (via Ruchika Sharma, Senior)” url=”https://pcpawprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/powderfinal.jpg”]

Homecoming is always an exciting time at Pine Crest; from the battles of the classes all the way through to the football game where everyone comes together as one Panther family. One of the most exciting parts about Homecoming is the fierce rivalry between the juniors and Seniors to win the Powderpuff game.

After winning the spirit stick twice as underclassmen and winning the Powderpuff game the previous year as juniors, the Senior girls were out to continue the legacy of the Class of 2015. However, the juniors were looking to oust the Seniors in an attempt to gain first place in the spirit stick competition.

On Thursday afternoon, the entire high school gathered at Banks Field to watch the game. The referee staff was top-notch featuring Mr. Solomon, Mr. Schwartz, and of course, Head Field Judge Mr. Pierson.

The juniors got the ball first and immediately began marching down the field. Running was their first option, especially after Brittany Hammel’s first two pass attempts were broken up by the Seniors. The next play, Ryann Clarke was given the ball as she bolted down the sideline. Senior Brigette Blanco missed the stop, and Clarke ran forty yards to the end zone. Luckily for the Seniors though, she had stepped out of bounds before scoring, resulting in just a fifteen yard gain. The two teams fought it out, and the first half ended in a scoreless tie.

As the girls were taking a rest, their male counterparts took the field for the long awaited halftime dance competition. The freshmen were first, but technical difficulties prevented them from starting.

The sophomores were ready to go, so they jumped in to do their dance first instead. The dance featured impressive acrobatics, including a backflip by sophomore Brett Koolik.

After the sophomores, the freshmen re-entered the field. Their dance included many gymnastic combinations by Sammy Koolik as well as the inevitable silly ad-libbed dancing.

Finally, after endless chanting by the juniors, their superstar, Colby Lanthrop, took the field to start their dance. It began with a very funny and accurate rendition of a dance from the movie Napoleon Dynamite. Then, the rest of the junior boys joined Lathrop on the field and continued with their dance.

Finally, the Seniors were ready to show everyone how a halftime dance is supposed to go. The Senior boys ran onto the field ready to go. The incredible dance, choreographed by cheerleading captains Hayley Bucholz and Olivia Paul, included acrobatics from Tom Hodgson, cheerleading stunts, and dancing like no one has ever seen before. The Senior boys impressed everyone and earned a nearly perfect score.

The show ended and the junior and Seniors girls were ready to begin the game once again. Since the juniors started with the ball in the first half, the Seniors had possession at the beginning of the second half. The two sides continued to battle back and forth until the final minute of the game. The Seniors had possession and moved down the field quickly and easily.

In the final seconds of the game, Senior quarterback, Nicole Schwartz threw the ball up to Emily Rizzo, and in a miracle moment, she caught the ball to win the game. Offensive coordinator, Justin Stolzenberg gave his opinion on the way the Senior girls played. “Our girls fought hard out there and were eventually able to overpower and out leverage the juniors.”

Senior defensive back, Remi Shea attributed the importance of the  crowd in helping the Seniors beat the juniors, as she offered some postgame remarks, “I really think that the energy from our fellow Seniors in the crowd is what made us come out on top.”

The final score was 6-0, and the Seniors regained their crown as Powderpuff champions once again. Both the dance and the game helped the Class of 2015 go on to win the prestigious spirit stick for a third year in a row.