Powderpuff is an engaging and exciting tournament that took place on January 23rd at Cathedral, and it was a night to remember!
This 11-on-11 flag football tournament is between 2 junior teams and 2 senior teams. The juniors play each other and the seniors play each other; after that the winners play each other in the championship!
Although Powderpuff is full of fun and excitement, there is a bigger meaning behind it that some may not know. Let’s get some deeper insight into what Powderpuff is and a recap from one of the coaches and players who were a part of the event.
Mr. Caro, a psychology teacher here at Cathedral, shares more of the history of Powderpuff and its importance to our school. Mr. Fierro was a beloved history teacher and football coach, who was dedicated to his students and role at Cathedral.
Mr. Caro explained that prior to coach Mario Fierro’s passing in 2021, he was able to bring Powderpuff to Cathedral. The structure that he created was that the “football players were primarily the coaches and the girls were the players.”
After 2 years of Powderpuff starting, the pandemic happened and Powderpuff sort of fell off. Post-pandemic, all the girls wanted to start Powderpuff up again; however, it wasn’t clear who was going to take charge of that role.
After some collaboration, National Honors Society took on the role of starting up Powderpuff in honor of Mr. Fierro. “He has a scholarship that students use to be able to attend Cathedral, so all the money from Powderpuff that we collect goes to his scholarship,” as Mr. Caro explains.
Senior Grace Rhoten was on the team titled “Fierro’s Flash” with coaches Sven Chuppa, Carter Jackson, Gavin Leitstein, Wyatt Grunsky, and Thomas Gruytch. She ended up winning her first game and losing during the championship game. She tells us a little more about her favorite part of the event and experience: “The best part was being a part of a team and being able to ultimately play for a good cause, knowing that it isn’t just a game but also playing to honor Mr. Fierro.”
Coach of the “Super Fierro” junior team, Logan Jones, expresses the highlights of getting the opportunity to be a coach: “The energy, the community aspect, and the hype of coaching my team was a blast and something that I enjoyed.”
The team practiced Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during lunch where they worked individual drills, techniques, and worked together to be the best team that they possibly could.
Coaching all of those girls, as well as trying to make the most successful team possible also comes with challenges along the journey. Jones states: “I would say that organizing and getting the girls focused for the game was the most challenging part, but overall it was a great experience that I would recommend. ”
Overall, it was a memorable night for the students and the observers. The “Batties” junior team ended up taking the win with coaches Brady Palmer, Victor Velasquez, and Parker Johnson.
This event is more than just a football tournament for the students, but also in remembrance of the amazing coach Mario Fierro who once started this tradition.
