After a tiresome first quarter, the Patriots kicked off Thanksgiving break with the annual Wootball game (formerly known as Powderpuff), a competitive yet enthralling flag football game. With juniors and seniors battling each other, the game was a family-friendly event.

In recent years, the SGA has arranged community-friendly events, but nothing seems to top the hype associated with Wootball. To play, players had to be juniors or seniors who did not already play football. Students could also participate on the sidelines as cheerleaders or spectators, rooting for their peers.

As the night began, the junior team began first, versus the first senior team. On the junior team, athletes such as Alexa Ntchobo, Zainab Deen, Lindsey Mcney, Kate Hawley and others battled the forces of seniors such as Jeneba Lansana, Jamie Zweig, Savannah Rabin, Rae Weinstein and more.The juniors won.“The game was fun, but it was really cold,” junior Alexa Ntcbobo said.

Despite losing the first game, the seniors reported having fun. “While it wasn’t the most organized game, it was super fun to play flag football with my friends and get to challenge the juniors. We lost but it was great,” senior Savannah Rabin added.

Shortly after the first game, the next senior team composed of players such as Zara Okudo, Hope Safai, Kaitlin Mariani, Vivian Pisani and Karen Potts took the field, entering the game with plenty of energy. As the spectators blew up the stands with cheer and excitement, the game took off. The seniors rushed the field, getting eight touchdown passes. “I had a blast. The seniors and juniors have a friendly rivalry, so it was really fun to play against them in something,” Mariani said, as her senior team won the game, beating the juniors 49-14.

The wholesome event ended cheerfully and was a kickoff to Thanksgiving break, bringing community members together in a bittersweet moment for many seniors getting ready to depart onto new endeavors. “I think Wootball is a good addition to our fall events. It’s cool to come out and watch girls play flag- football and show their skill. I’m really going to miss coming to events like this because they really are enjoyable to watch and be a part of,” senior Alina Salim said.