THOMASVILLE- In an effort to increase school spirit, Thomasville High School hosted their annual Turkey Bowl Powder Puff football game on Thursday night, pitting the Junior and Senior class against the Freshman.
After a postponement due to the weather, the Freshman faced off against the Sophomore class on Tuesday night, where they won, advancing them to the next round. While all in good spirit, there was definitely competition in the air on Thursday.
The Junior and Senior team took an early lead in the first quarter, scoring 7 points. They held onto their lead until the fourth quarter, when the Freshman finally got on the board. While they were able to make a touchdown, they did not get the extra point, leaving them trailing by one. It would all come down to the final seconds, when the Juniors and Seniors eventually took a knee, claiming their victory for the second year in a row.
According to Senior Advisor Barbara Peralta, this is the third year of the Turkey Bowl.
She hosts an interest meeting, where female high school students can sign up to be on the team and football players can sign up to coach.
The coaches create all the plays and teach the girls how to play Powder Puff, if they don’t already know. All teams take the Turkey Bowl seriously, practicing since early October for the event.
The game has two referees, one student and one middle school football coach, who also serves as the math teacher.
Peralta said in the past, they have charged students or asked them to bring donations such as blankets, socks or school supplies to watch the game, but due to the postponement she was just glad to have people come out and support the ladies and their coaches who have put in the time and effort.
“It’s just a great way for the kids to get together and see the boys supporting the girls,” she said. “I think sometimes the coaches are more excited than the girls.”
Peralta said with the Turkey Bowl complete, the girls have expressed an interest in hosting a volleyball game where they coach the boys. While nothing is set in stone yet, Peralta is on board with the idea, saying it’s just another way to promote school spirit.