Powder Puff Preview (Say it, Don't Spray it)

Get ready, folks...the Powder Puff girls are coming! No, not the PowerPuff girls from the old Cartoon Network animated series about three bug-eyed super hero girls flying around saving Townsville from evil villains. I'm talking about Powder Puff flag football. Coming to Banks Trail Middle School. And these girls mean business!

Strapping on the flags for the 1st Annual BTMS PowderPuff Game are (Standing from left)
Julianna Crane (7thgr), Alissa Ilacqua (8thgr), Grace Howell (8thgr) and Makenna Biehl (7th).
(Kneeling from left)  Sixth graders Lily Stayduhar and Felicity Shackleford point out they
should not be taken lightly.

Most of us, I'm sure, are familiar with the Powder Puff football game. It's played annually at high schools across the country. Teams of girls from each class (Fr, Soph, Jr, Sr) compete in a night of flag football, usually as part of the school's Homecoming Week festivities. They are often coached by some of the football players or other guy athletes, while other guys dress up as cheerleaders and generally act the fool.  Admission is charged for the games, raising money for a team or a club or the athletic boosters and a good time is had by all. I'm not sure how common it is at the middle school level, but this year, Banks Trail MS is jumping in with its 1st Annual PowderPuff Game. The games will be held next Monday, Nov. 3rd, at 5pm. Each class (6th, 7th, 8th) has two teams. The 6th grade and 7th grade teams will play each other, then the winners will move on to play an 8th grade team. Meanwhile, the two losing teams will play each other. Each team will play two games, so there will be plenty of chances to catch them in action. Tickets are $5 with the money raised going to the school's athletic booster club. There will also be a full concession stand operating, so lots of food and snacks on hand, again benefitting the boosters. So let's fill the stadium and give the booster club a big boost of its own.

These PowderPuff games are always a lot of fun, but don't let that fool you into thinking they're not being taken seriously. I've covered quite a few of these games over the years, and once the whistle blows and the games begin, these girls are out to win. Especially the underclassman who are just itchin' to knock those Seniors down a peg or two. Take this year's game a couple weeks ago at Fort Mill HS. I was there shooting pics for the Fort Mill Times. The championship game came down to Juniors vs Seniors, and when the Juniors scored

FMHS Juniors celebrate, while Sr Graydon Nall walks off.

the go-ahead TD with just about a minute to play, believe me there was no joy in Mudville (the Seniors sideline). And I suspect there will be much the same sentiment going on at Banks Trail Stadium next Monday night when they strap on the flags. You know those 6th and 7th graders would love to knock off one or both of those 8th grade teams. So beware, 8th graders! Don't get too cocky, 'cause they're comin' for ya!

Whatever the outcome, it's sure to be a fun and entertaining evening. So come on out, cheer on your favorite team and help support the BTMS Athletic Booster Club. They do a great job of supporting the school's athletic programs, giving these students a great opportunity to compete and learn on the athletic fields and courts.

That's it for this abbreviated version of 'From the Sidelines...' I'll be back on Thursday or Friday with a full update on the past several weeks of Banks Trail football and volleyball, plus a few other things I've been doing. Remember, tomorrow night (Wednesday) both the 8th grade and 7th grade football teams will play for the York County Middles School Athletic Conference championships. The 8th graders are at home against West Division champion Dutchman Creek in a battle of two undefeated teams, while the 7th graders travel to Rock Hill to take on unbeaten Castle Heights. Both games are at 5pm so come on out and cheer on the Timberwolves!

You can be sure I'll be there taking in the action...from the sidelines!!