It’s that time of the year again everyone. Powderpuff 2022. After not being able to host a match in 2020 or 2021 due to COVID restrictions, the boys finally got to don their tutus and the girls brought out the eye black for a day of good ol’ fashioned football.

The event took place at The Den on Wednesday, May 18 at 12:30, with the teams being switched up for the very first time. The all-new Senior/Freshman team led by senior Jacqueline Crucillo went head to head with the Junior/Sophomore team led by sophomore Nebi Tsarni.

The senior team was looking to bounce back from the loss of the senior team back in 2019 when they lost 28-16, but the juniors and sophomores didn’t go down so easily.

The defense seemed to part like the Red Sea for running back and junior Esther Kouadio in the first quarter when she managed to break out for a monster 50yd touchdown to give the sophomores and juniors the 7-0 lead.

It seemed as if the seniors and freshmen were lost out on the field until the second quarter, when they were able to punch the ball through the defensive line and tie up the game at 7-7.

Cheers rang out around The Den as the buzzer went for halftime and the powderpuff cheerleaders took to the field for their routine. Led by senior Hasham Khan, the routine included cartwheels from senior Joshua Derosier, synchronized kicks, and even a Nicki Minaj rendition of the US flag.

Following the cheer performance, Watkins Mill’s very own NOVA dance team put on a show for the fans with a little help from the cheerleaders at the very end to everyone’s delight.

Eventually though, the teams had to take to the field again to restart the action, and fans didn’t have to wait long for another big run for Kouadio, scoring her second touchdown of the game.

Commentator and senior Junior Arhin lad lots of praise for Kouadio, dubbing her “the next Desean Jackson… she has 99 speed like a Madden card.”

Freshman/Senior Head Coach and senior Devin Breckenridge had only one play to make or break the game on 4th down, and as the ball crashed to the floor the Sophomore/Junior Assistant Coaches Ezekiel Moody, Julian Zamba, and Malick Sarr ran alongside Head Coach Brian Asiwome in jubilation as once again the juniors were able to defeat the seniors in a 14-7 victory.

“We just made sure that we had fun at practice. It was a cool, fun experience and I’m glad we were able to take the dub!” Asiwome said.

“It came down to execution and intensity and [the sophomores and juniors] beat us in both, congrats to them.” Breckenridge said.

“I had a lot of fun and I’m definitely glad that I got to play in my senior year, the referees sold the game though.” Crucillo said.

Gallery • 25 Photos

Julien Payen

Powderpuff cheerleaders pose during the 2022 Powderpuff game.