Seniors Capture Powderpuff Win Under the Lights
Cedar Springs kicked off both Red Flannel and Homecoming season with plenty of school spirit at Red Hawk Stadium, as the seniors defeated the juniors 24-6 in the annual powderpuff football game.
Before the game, both student coaches were ready to play up the friendly rivalry and have some fun in a role reversal from their normal padded-positions on the field.
“We’re gonna play fast, we’re gonna play hard, we’re gonna play for each other,” Senior Head Coach Spencer Schoenborn said before kickoff. “We’re going to get out there and run the ball. And when they get used to that, we’re gonna toss that rock. That’s what's going to get ’em. That's what's going to drown ’em early.”
Junior Head Coach Jakson Bravata said his team was focused on coming out strong.
“We’re looking to be physical here,” Bravata said. “Put on a good performance. Make sure everybody is on the same page. And come away with the win.”
Once the game got underway, the seniors backed up their coach’s confidence early. After their defense forced a quick stop on the juniors’ first possession, Taylor Gunderson put the seniors on the board with a touchdown run around the end, giving her team a 6-0 lead.
Gunderson added another touchdown later in the first half, this time on an off-tackle run, to stretch the senior lead to 12-0.
The juniors answered with one of the biggest plays of the night when Adelyn Nesbitt broke loose around the end for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 12-6 before halftime.
The seniors led 12-6 at the break and continued to control the game in the second half. Jessie Teesdale helped lead the way after halftime, scoring on a handoff out of the shotgun formation to make it 18-6.
The juniors had a chance to get back into the game after a defensive stand near the goal line, stopping the seniors inside the 5-yard line and forcing a turnover on downs. But the seniors’ defense quickly got the ball back and gave their offense another short-field opportunity.
Teesdale capped the scoring off with her second touchdown of the night, breaking free from about 30 yards out to put the seniors ahead 24-6 with less than two minutes remaining.
After the game, Schoenborn said the win came down to the seniors’ energy and execution.
“I knew coming out that they were going to win,” Schoenborn said. “They came out playing hard, playing fast. Throughout the game I saw we were kind of running things. Offense looked good. Defense was doing their job.”
The juniors continued to battle until the final whistle, but the seniors held on for the win and the bragging rights that go with it.
There were no real losers Thursday night, just Red Hawks flying high with another tradition under the stadium lights.
Let's Go Red Hawks!
