Putting the exclamation point on an extended Homecoming celebration, it was a victory for the senior girls in the 2023 Powder Puff game, while the Homecoming King and Prince were also revealed.
The game and crowning both took place on Monday, Oct. 16. Senior and junior female students suited up and played in front of a large crowd inside The Corral for the annual Powder Puff contest. The seniors were in control from the start and took the win, 26-6.
The Homecoming King and Prince were announced and received their crowns during the evening as well, with Omar Alsaidi selected as King, Grant Gardner tapped as Prince. Also nominated for Homecoming King were Gavin Gleason, Cameron Guthrie, Gabe McDonald and Thomas Chance while the other Homecoming Prince candidates were Bas Stice, Crew Baza, Parker Whitemyer and Camden Knight.
In the game itself, a total of 94 seniors took on 75 juniors. The players were a mix of student-athletes, as well as band members, those in drama, FFA, academic decathlon, cheer and more.
With four quarters of 12 minutes (running clock) the two teams put on a show for the fans in attendance. The Voice of the Mustangs, Pete Simoncini, was in the booth and in full force with his humorous and insightful take on the contest.
Scoring first for the seniors was Gabriela Carranza on a five-yard rush; it was the only score of the first quarter. With a 6-0 advantage, Carranza extended the seniors lead on an 18-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Raegen Everett to go up 12-0. Just before halftime, the juniors got on the board. Lyndee Cox scored on a two-yard rush to send the teams into the halftime break with a score of 12-6.
In the third quarter senior Bailey Peterson scored on an 11-yard rush making it 20-6. The final scoring play of the game came on an 85-yard catch and run by senior Presley Barnes as time expired.
“It was exciting to be out there as a senior, but also sad knowing it was the last time we were going to play,” said senior Sierra Jablonski.
Other highlights for the seniors were: a sack by Jaylynn Casey, Mia Manley had a 21-yard run, Lilly Kandally nearly had an interception, Bailey Peterson nearly had an interception, Shelby Waltman had multiple tackles (flag pulls), Brooklyn Baba had a big 30-yard run, and Reece Riley and Audrey Healy each had tackles for loss.
For the juniors it was Jaelyn Ghiglia who had a 16-yard run, Rylee Harris had a pass deflection, Lynsey McPhee had a long run of 22 yards and delivered a juke step that left several seniors on the turf. Also, Madison Bohannon had a 40-yard run late in the first half, Amaya Jablon had a pass deflection, Kyleigh Melconian had a run of 12 yards, Sydney Birkes had a tackle for loss and Sophia Speers had a tackle for loss.
