Powderpuff.  Not the fluffy makeup tool, but the beloved high school tradition where girls play a modified version of American football.  At WHS, the annual Powderpuff tournament is a flag football game played at night, under the stadium lights.  Not only is it a light-hearted competition, but it also serves as a fundraiser for charity; the high school’s Mini-THON hosts the tournament and donates its funds to cancer research. 

     Girls sign up with teams of 7-10 people and also get a couple boys from the football team to coach.  These “coaches” plan out plays and briefly practice with the girls to achieve successful gameplay on the field.  Girls from various clubs and sports teams signed up, including girls’ field hockey, girls’ flag football, and Mini-THON.  On the night of the tournament, the field was split into three sections, with six teams playing at once and one team waiting on the sideline.  In a series of six, 8-minute games, the girls competed with their respective coaches directing them.  Players snapped the ball, sprinted down the field, crashed opposing players in an attempt to snag their flags, and scanned the play methodically before tossing the ball to their teammates. 

     After a long night, girls’ flag football reigned supreme over girls’ JV soccer.  Despite only two teams being allowed for the finals, each team exhibited impressive grit and determination throughout the games.  Sam Farno ‘27, a player on the girls’ field hockey team, expressed her enjoyment of the tournament and how it encouraged friendly, yet aggressive, competition.  “Powderpuff is a super cool way to be competitive outside of your sport with or against your other friends,” she said.  “It gets intense sometimes, maybe a little too intense, but everyone has fun!”  Certainly, the tournament presents the opportunity for girls and coaches alike to play with strategy, energy, and enthusiasm. 

     Evan Tolmie (‘26), quarterback on the boys’ football team, spoke on his experience as a coach for the girls’ JV soccer team.  “The atmosphere was great and I was happy to see so much effort from the girls.  For myself, it was a great opportunity to break down the game and teach football to an unfamiliar crowd,” he said.  Punter Nolan Carter (‘26) coached the team alongside Tolmie and agreed, finding that it was nice to meet new people and compete in a coaching position. 

     “Most importantly, you are helping a very important cause,” Farno adds. FTK!