By John Kalil, Managing Editor-in-Chief
// Back for its second year on campus after a long hiatus, Powder Puff women’s football will take place Wednesday, April 16 and Thursday, April 17 on the field at lunch.
The Day One semifinal matchups will be drawn by Leadership teacher Katherine Walton on Wednesday morning.
Battling it out for the title of best women’s football team on campus this year will be the Pink Team, the Blue Team, the White Team, and the Green Team.
Let’s meet the teams, shall we?
Blue Team
Auspiciously named after last year’s champions, the blue team will head into battle with junior superstar Maddie Wilson leading the way as she seeks her second consecutive Powder Puff championship.
The cornerstone of the team’s line will be sophomore Aliye Wingate, who will be tasked with opening up holes for talented senior running back Sasha Sadoff.
Slinging it for the blue team is the best quarterback in the Rowell family — senior Lexi Rowell, who will spread the ball around to her team’s numerous playmakers on offense.
The most common word thrown around about this team is certainly “good.”
“We have good, productive practices and good coaches. Our plays are good and I think we’re good at understanding situations,” senior Kylie Walker said.
White Team
Legendary Alabama head football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant once said, “Defense wins championships.”
The defense-oriented White Team will hope that the Bear is correct as it strives for a place in Powder Puff history.
The defense’s strong suit will be an elite defensive line led by senior Grace Doll, a physical and emotional force on the team.
“The impact player on our team is our whole defensive line because they really get after the quarterback, forcing her to make bad decisions with the football,” junior coach Nick Kresnak said.
Green Team
With a relatively young roster, the Green Team will rely heavily on the leadership of its veteran quarterback, senior Lily O’Toole.
O’Toole will hope to find receivers Natalie Calendar and Riley Perlman more than a few times in a game.
Similarly to the White Team, the Green Team believes it has the best front seven at Acalanes.
Bolstered by junior defensive tackle Olivia Pellegrini and sophomore middle linebacker Shayna Parker, the Green Team will look to stuff the run game.
“Our defensive line and middle linebackers being able to stop the run and defend short passes is our main key to success in the game,” sophomore coach Niko Cortessis said.
Pink Team
Hampered by the loss of senior Claire Gallagher to Coachella, the Pink Team will enter the tournament as a sleeper pick to take the title.
On the offensive end of the ball, senior center Julia Helvey will help create time for strong-armed sophomore quarterback Grace Gebhardt.
On defense, the team will rely on excellent play from cornerbacks Eliza Parry and Michelle Goll.
Overall, however, the Pink Team will have to play as a cohesive unit to pull off what some may consider an upset.
“It’s a team sport, anyone can make an impact out there by giving one hundred and ten percent,” junior coach Matty Montaquila said.