GHS seniors win inaugural powder puff game

Senior Alyssa Nichols runs for a touchdown to put her team up 6-0 in the seniors' 12-0 victory over the juniors. The inaugural game saw more than 20 girls participate for each of the four teams representing each class. Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN

GREENCASTLE -- Experience carried the day Tuesday at Harbison Stadium, as the seniors defeated the juniors and the sophomores downed the freshmen in homecoming powder puff action.

The inaugural powder puff games went well for GHS, as more than 20 girls went out for each of the four teams.

At days' end, the Senior Green Fireflies had a 12-0 victory over the Junior Blue Crush, while the Sophomore Orange Marmalades downed the Freshmen Pink Petunias 8-0.

In the early game, what looked like it could be a track meet soon turned defensive.

Sophomore Ellen Gobert took the opening play from scrimmage for more than 30 yards, putting her team deep in Petunia territory. She found paydirt one play later on another run. Her successful 2-point conversion put the sophomores up 8-0 with 17:16 to play.

From there, though, the defenses took over, yielding little in the way of yardage or even first downs. While the Petunia offense struggled to find footing, the defense was up to the task of containing the Marmalades.

When the clock reached all zeroes, Gobert's early score stood up, and the sophomores had an 8-0 victory.

Between games, homecoming activities continued, as the junior tug-o-war team defeated the sophomores in the final.

The Greencastle Senior Green Fireflies defeated the Junior Blue Crush 12-0 in the GHS Homecoming Powder Puff game with some big plays on offense and scrappy defense. Team members include Katie Farris, Kelsey Grzesiek, Melanie Bittles, Macey Wright, Nicole Cacciola, Brooke Buckner, Macey Nichols, Kelsey Taylor, Molli Parker, Skyanne White, Kay Wood, Jordan Anvoots, Chelsea Samuels, Braden Amis, Maria Brown, Karly Bumgardner, Mallory Miller, Holly Jezior, Nicole Boyle, Andrea Mundy, Kayla McCalister, Alyssa Nichols and coaches Glenn Hile, Tanner Battin, Jesse Vermillion and Keegan Remsburg. Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN

At the outset of the junior-senior football game, it appeared the juniors would find similar success. Quarterback Taylor Pruitt marched the Blue Crush down the field with ease, occasionally handing the ball to a teammate, but shouldering most of the load herself.

Backed up inside the 10, though, the seniors stood their ground, forcing a turnover on downs when the drive stalled.

With the momentum from their defense, the Firefly offense took it to the Crush, driving 80 yards for the game's opening score. The drive included big runs by Kay Wood, Kelsey Grzesiek and Alyssa Nichols.

Nichols eventually found the endzone with 18:20 to play, putting the seniors up 6-0.

After another junior turnover on downs, the senior offense was again in business. More nice runs, including an end-around by Melanie Bittles set up the biggest play of the game.

While the pass had not been working well for anybody all night, Nichols dropped back and sent one downfield to Mallory Miller, who outjumped her defender and went 40 yards for the night's final score.

An interception by senior Brooke Buckner with 7:20 remaining ended the juniors' final threat, and the seniors were able to run out the clock for the 12-0 victory.