Fans walk through the gates, their only payment a donation to the fight against breast cancer. They walk toward the stands, the athletes visibly preparing for what is sure to be an intense game. As each member of the crowd takes a seat, action starts on the field. Juniors and seniors take their starting positions. The center snaps the ball, and the play starts. Coaches yell directions and plays. The female athletes make touchdowns and field goals to benefit the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks (BCFO). As the afternoon sun glares in the sky, the seniors obtain another win in the annual Powder Puff football game.

  

Powder Puff has been a longstanding tradition at Glendale High School. William Thomas, science teacher, cheer coach and Cabinet sponsor, helps make this event happen, but it is mostly put on by students. Hannah Hopkins, junior and Service Commissioner for Cabinet, and Kendrick Scott, senior and Spirit Commissioner for Cabinet, ran this year’s Powder Puff game. 

  

“My favorite part about being a part of Powder Puff this year was actually being one of the people who orchestrated it and planning it,” Scott said. “It just it makes me feel good knowing that I helped raise a thousand dollars for the [Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks].”

  

All of the money from the t-shirts the players bought and wore for the game and donations collected at the gate amounted to more than $1200. This made the event a success according to Hopkins, center and nose guard for the juniors. 

  

“I was super pleased with how much money we raised,” Hopkins said. “I was not expecting to raise that much. I am so happy that we did.”

  

BCFO is an organization that provides both victims of breast cancer and their families with help covering the costs of medical treatment, emotional support, free breast cancer screenings and preventive education. Katie Church, senior and defensive lineman, is glad to know that her participation in Powder Puff will have a positive impact on the community.

  

“It’s a great cause,” Church said. “It impacts our local community, so I think that’s just great.”

  

Both the juniors and seniors practiced leading up to the event. Junior and senior football players acted as the Powder Puff coaches. Gianna Kelley, running back for the seniors, played because her mom had breast cancer.

  

“My mom had breast cancer twice when I was younger,” Kelley said. “Knowing she has made it through gave me motivation in the game.”

  

The junior team, feeling unprepared, decided to have extra practices to hopefully beat the seniors. Sam Conyers, junior and Powder Puff coach, felt the additional practices were necessary for the juniors to have a fighting chance because the seniors have won every year. The extra practices did not give the juniors the upper hand, however, because the final score was 20-7 in favor of the seniors.

  

“Usually you only get, I think it’s three practices, but we actually scheduled a few extra practices,” Conyers said. “We felt we needed it because every year the seniors win. We thought this would be our year, and it just was not our year.”

  

Part of the fun of the event was the ability for girls to learn about football. Jaxon Harbour, senior and Powder Puff coach, attributes the seniors’ success to the dedication of the girls. 

  

“I devoted a couple hours a week doing defensive game plans and everything, but it was mostly the girls [who] came in and worked pretty hard to win,” Harbour said. “That means a lot coming from football players to see girls enjoy football that much.”

  

The referees for the event were the fathers of three of the senior girls. Joseph Reid, father of Evan Reid, enjoyed the interaction between the coaches and the players during the game. 

  

“Watching the football boys actually enjoy it probably more than anyone else was the best,” Reid said. 

  

While this event was a fun activity, its cause hit close to home for many of the participants and spectators of the event. 

  

“I think it’s close to everyone’s heart because I think everyone knows someone affected by cancer, if not breast cancer,” Thomas said. “With the money raised, it goes to the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks which they distribute the money within our community, so it goes to people right here that you may know that are affected by breast cancer.”

  

Powder Puff will continue to be a tradition at Glendale. Hopkins is already getting excited for next year’s game. 

  

“Yes, I am definitely looking forward to next year because it was super fun, but it’s going to be nice when we have the refs on our side and everything too as seniors,” Hopkins said. “I’m excited to make it fun for the juniors next year.”

  

The Powder Puff game occurs every year in October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Cabinet will announce information for next year’s Powder Puff game closer to the time of the event. For more information about BCFO and ways to donate, visit www.bcfo.org.