The annual Homecoming week Juniors vs. Seniors powder puff flag football game took place on Wednesday, Oct. 12. Thousands of fans gathered to watch the game at The Corral and were not disappointed in the action. Last season the seniors defeated the juniors 33-0 and last year’s juniors – now seniors – did not want to lose again.
The team did not get off to a great start as the Juniors took a 16-0 lead into the half. Kylee Black displayed her speed with a 65 yard rushing touchdown early in the second quarter for the first points of the night. Mobile junior quarterback Liliana Ibarra scrambled and broke free for a 36 yard rushing score with 35 seconds remaining in the first half. The Juniors added to their lead on a safety by Courtney Corwin to give the Juniors what appeared to be an insurmountable 16-0 halftime lead.
“I just told the girls that this was it for them, as seniors. They wanted to win so they strung together an impressive second half,” senior head coach Vincent Albertoni said.
In the second half things got chippy, and downright physical between the two teams. Shoulder hits, pulling down by the jerseys, and even a physical altercation took place in the second half. Overcoming the distraction, the seniors scored two touchdowns in the final two quarters to tie the game. Senior Kyla Novotny scored the first Senior points of the evening on an 11 yard rush midway through the third quarter. Oakdale tied the game with 4:26 left in the game on a Madison Brewer three yard rush. Prior to her touchdown, Kristin Aguilar caught a 30 yard pass on fourth and four to help set up the score.
“Being on the field as a senior was a special moment for all of us. I know I will never forget this experience, from practice to now that the game is over, it was tons of fun and I enjoyed every minute of it,” Aguilar said following the game.
Notable seniors on the team included 2016 Homecoming Queen Deonna Osmundson, Sara Stevens, TJ Verdegaal, Mikayla Wong, Isabella Cobarruvias, Madison Brewer, Kyndall Vargas, Shayann Trent, Danika Brown, Lexi Sibley, Alyssa Rowe and many more that were part of the senior team.
“Honestly I felt like one of the guys who come out here on a Friday night. Obviously my brother (Frankie Trent) played out here and wore the same number as me, 47,” Trent said of her experience.
On the other side of the field the Juniors also enjoyed the experience of playing at The Corral.
“It was interesting to see how much hard work the football players put in each week to be successful. We only played one game and worked hard at practice and played well out here and that was only for four quarters, so a lot of respect for the guys who come out here each week and play,” junior Kayla Budine said. “This experience was great because I really did not know about half of my class and now I consider them all friends.”
Other notable juniors on the team were Emma Burke, Megan Dickson, Grace Green, Megan Caldwell, Dakota and Christine Gray, Cassie England, Liza Marsella and Jenna London.
