Every year, during homecoming week, the Student Council organizes a “Powderpuff” girl’s flag football contest at Lake Park. Not only does this event promote school spirit, all funds go to a good cause– raising money for breast cancer awareness. This year, Powderpuff football was a huge success, as $5,908.99 were raised through ticket sales, merchandise, and bake sale revenue.
Here’s how Powderfull Football works: four teams of girls are coached by various boy’s football players. These teams of female players, dressed in pink themed uniforms, play one another at West Campus on the Wednesday night of Homecoming Week. This year, that date fell on October 8th.
Coaches and players are brought together during this event to support a greater cause–breast cancer awareness. Jaxon Acolatse (LP ‘26), coach of the Pink Punters, felt personally compelled to coach this year.
“I wanted to Coach this year because I’ve been coaching all of my life in different sports and I wanted to get the experience and to see how it feels to really coach a team,” Jaxon said.
“Since I play football, I thought I would be able to help [the players].”
Powderpuff football creates memories of community and excitement. For Jaxon, his favorite moment was during his team’s first game when the opposing team scored the first touchdown of the game.
“We then got the ball and marched down the field and answered with a touchdown of our own to tie the game,” Jaxon said.
Powderpuff creates lasting memories of fun and school spirit. For coaches, Powderpuff football is a chance for them to prove their leadership skills while having fun. Being a football player themselves, coaches are able to relate to the Powderpuff players during practices and games.
“Being a football player helped a lot because I already knew what I needed our players to do and they did it. Whenever they didn’t understand something it was easy for me to guide them and fix mistakes to improve,” Jaxon said.
Powderpuff football was a huge success this year, thanks to Student Council’s planning and coaches’ and players’ participation. By encouraging school spirit and raising money for breast cancer awareness, Powderpuff football is an opportunity to do good in our community.
Next year, Powderpuff football is planned to run again, raising more funds giving more students a chance to participate. For students interested in playing or coaching next year, Jaxon Acolatse advises, “Try something new. Also, give people a chance and don’t be so hard on someone when they mess up even when it is their first time doing something. Having fun is most important.”
For girls interested in competing more seriously in flag football, Lake Park offers competitive IHSA girl’s flag football. Registration for summer camp begins in the spring, with tryouts in August.
