Loud cheers ignited the stadium as IHS’s annual powderpuff football game opened Homecoming weekend with friendly competition between the junior and senior girls on Friday, September 12.
High schoolers, middle schoolers, faculty and families gathered in Stan Skoczen Stadium to root for the girls playing flag football. Fun times filled the air, especially for upperclassmen.
“My favorite part of the game was getting to be with my friends,” senior player Sofia Pichert said, “and it was very fun and energetic going on the field.”
Powderpuff official Mr. Mike Foor agreed. “I think it’s fun for the students to watch the girls compete against each other, and rivalry between the classes and so forth,” Foor said.
The powderpuff game was a tradition at IHS until it disappeared after 2010. The games used to take place in the evening until they returned last year as part of Homecoming.
Senior class advisor Mrs. Brittany Lapaglia recalled her own experience playing in the powderpuff football games when she was a student. She enjoyed “being with the girls and having the team.” Lapaglia loved powderpuff then and loves it now. “The middle school was into it, the underclassmen were into it, obviously the juniors and seniors were super into it.”
Seniors dominated the juniors with a score of 30-0. Senior quarterback Emily Gibbons threw 2 touchdowns (one to Gianna and one to Madelyn Mudra) and ran for another. Gibbons, Lucy Spencer, and Anna Jirmasek each scored a 2-point conversion. Gianna Carlucci intercepted the ball for an exciting final touchdown within the last 7 seconds. Her favorite part was “scoring the pick six at the very end of the game.” Lindsey Lieu held a strong defense with the most flag pulls.
Loud cheers will again ignite the 2026 powderpuff game as the class of 2027 bumps up to seniors. Will they carry the victory of the Senior class or will the class of 2028 rise up to capture the win?
