After a long morning of SATs and PSATs on October 14, the Academic Magnet football field turned from test-taking to touchdown-making. The annual Powderpuff football tournament, one of the many traditions at Academic Magnet, brought together the freshman, sophomores, juniors, and seniors for an afternoon of competition and school spirit.
It’s one of those rare afternoons when academics take a back seat to fun. “It was a beautiful and sunny day. It was also an A day which meant that it was objectively bound to be a good day. We were basically at the one fun event we get once every blue moon, and instead of taking the time to enjoy the game, I saw people doing homework on the sidelines instead of cheering. And I was like ‘bro are we so for real.’” -Zuriel (12th grade). While we may have seen some of the nerds living up to the stereotype of Academic Magnet, all the players took the field.
Representing their respective class colors, the boys traded textbooks for pom-poms and became cheerleaders for the day. Each class came ready to play and ready to show off their spirit. The freshmen in white, sophomores in blue, juniors in pink, and seniors in black filled the sidelines early, running through plays and hyping up their teammates. The bleachers filled fast with students and teachers, and the energy only grew from there. The sophomores and freshmen brought strong cheer squads with chants, stunt *attempts*, and enthusiasm. The juniors had a smaller crew and the seniors had only two cheerleaders, but they still delivered. Tyler Heckman (12th grade) did a flip.
Game One: Freshmen vs. Seniors
The first matchup between the freshmen and seniors set the tone for the afternoon. While the freshmen came in as clear underdogs, they quickly proved they belonged on the field. Their defense was aggressive, their offense fast, and freshman Kiera Bandura’s breakaway speed had the crowd buzzing. The seniors’ experience made the difference. Led by an organized offense and confident play-calling, they found openings and took advantage of them. Jennie Pelic and Madeline Moye both scored touchdowns, giving the seniors control of the game. The freshmen managed to put one on the board as well, keeping things close and exciting until the end. The seniors came away with a 2–1 win and advanced to the championship round. Even so, the freshmen walked off the field proud. They had shown up for their first game and earned respect from every other grade.
Game Two: Sophomores vs. Juniors
Next up was the sophomore versus junior matchup, blue against pink. The game was fast and physical from the start, with the sophomores’ defense keeping pressure on the juniors’ offense. Once the juniors settled in, their rhythm took over. Elle Fennell stood out as one of the best players of the day, showing strong field awareness, quick reflexes, and a knack for breaking through defensive lines. She helped the juniors control possession and create scoring opportunities throughout the game. 3-1. When the clock ran out, the juniors came out on top, securing their spot in the championship and setting up a highly anticipated game against the seniors.
The Championship: Juniors vs. Seniors
By the time the final game kicked off, the crowd was ready. The pink and black uniforms made it feel like a true rivalry game, with both classes determined to walk away with the win. The seniors scored first, showing off the same offensive power that carried them through the first round. On defense, Sophia Easterbrook (12th grade) locked down junior quarterback Sarah Gray Heinemann (11th grade), keeping pressure on every play, while Chase Broadway (12th grade) and Hannah Johnson (12th grade) held the line against the juniors’ strong front. The juniors answered quickly, tying the game and keeping the momentum alive.
The second half was fast-paced and intense, with both teams diving for flags and fighting for every yard. Fennell continued to shine, helping the juniors find openings and drive down the field. Late in the game, the juniors pulled ahead and held on for a 2–1 victory, winning the 2025 Powderpuff championship. As the final whistle blew at the end of the 7-minute game, the pink sideline flooded the field in celebration. The seniors, though disappointed, congratulated them with smiles and high-fives, ending their final Powderpuff with pride and good sportsmanship.
The Cheer Squads Steal the Show
Even though the girls took center stage, the boys on the sidelines made sure the show never slowed down. The freshman and sophomore cheer squads kept the spirits high between plays with loud cheers and kind of coordinated stunt attempts. The juniors, with a smaller but equally dedicated group, brought humor and creativity that had the whole crowd laughing. The senior squad had only two participants, but they still made their mark. Tyler Heckman did a flip, but sadly not many people saw it. Could’ve been his claim to fame!
More Than a Game
Powderpuff isn’t just about who wins (yes, it is). It’s about class unity, friendly rivalry, and seeing people step into new roles (no, it’s not). Students who might be quiet in class suddenly become fierce competitors. Friends become teammates, and the school community gets to see a different side of the people they pass in the hallways every day. Teachers and staff watched from the sidelines, cheering and laughing as their students dove for flags and celebrated touchdowns. The energy felt like a reward after a long morning of standardized testing and a reminder that AMHS is more than academics. It’s a community that knows how to have fun together.
When the final game ended and everyone started packing up, there was a shared feeling of excitement and pride. The juniors left as 2 time champions, already talking about defending their title next year. The seniors walked off smiling, proud to have finished their final Powderpuff strong, with Jennie Pelic and Madeline Moye both scoring in their last game. The sophomores showed steady improvement and spirit that will make them a real threat next year. The freshmen, especially their lightning-fast runner, proved that the future of Powderpuff is in good hands. Between the touchdowns, flips, and laughter, Powderpuff 2025 captured everything that makes it one of Academic Magnet’s best traditions: fun, competition, and pure school pride.
