Each year during Homecoming week, Portage High School hosts a Powder Puff Football game, where female students from the junior and senior class meet in an annual showdown. On Monday, the juniors came away with a 21-0 shutout of the seniors.
A portion of the proceeds from the game were donated to Dollars for Scholars. The PHS Student Council was in charge of organizing the event. Sophomores Noah Volk and Jomari Miranda headed up the planning process. Each year it is the duty of the sophomore class to put the game on for the upperclassmen. Sophomore class faculty sponsors Gretchen Hargarten and Melissa Deavers-Lowie and Principal Jennifer Sass were also instrumental in the preparations.
Approximately 70 girls played in the game, while a grand crowd was on hand to take in the action. Quarterback Alyssa Tampier carried one 18 yards to give the juniors a 7-0 advantage early in the first quarter. Tampier is better known for her talent on the basketball court, where she has played on the varsity team since her freshman year.
Morgan Kilgore made an interception to give the juniors possession again. That drive resulted in a 9 yard touchdown scamper by Shakia Boyd to make it 14-0. The juniors had a chance to expand the lead just before halftime, but time expired when they had the ball inside the 20.
In the third quarter neither team cracked the scoreboard. Both squads exchanged several turnovers on downs. In the fourth, Arissa Salas broke free for 36 yards to put the game away, 21-0. The seniors put together several big plays on their final drive, but they failed to reach the endzone. The junior girls will look to repeat next year when they take on the current sophomore class.
Student Resource Officer Troy Williams and Home School Advisor Tim Kunstek served as the officials for the game. Science teachers Debra Broom and Tami Kepshire made up the seniors’ coaching staff, while Brandon Snodgrass coached the juniors. The PHS Music Boosters and PHS Athletic Department also made contributions.
Homecoming week continues on Thursday night at 5:30 with the Homecoming Parade. Friday’s football game against Crown Point, which kicks off at 7:00, will be preceded by the Pep Rally and followed by the Homecoming Dance.