The annual Powder Puff football game between senior and junior girls was cut short after a physical altercation Thursday, Sept. 26, with a score of 14-7 in favor of the seniors.

This is the second year in a row a physical altercation has happened. According to Principal David Sondheim, the administration has not yet decided whether or not the Powder Puff game will be played next year.

In an email sent out to all Redwood teachers, students and parents, Sondheim wrote, “A serious incident occurred in which some of the players were involved in a physical altercation, despite supervision by administrators and teachers.”

In a Go-Pro video taken for the Bark by senior Sadiki Thompson – two girls are shown – one senior and one junior, wrestling each other to the ground. Multiple seniors and juniors came over to either contribute to the altercation or stop it. The altercation was eventually broken up by several administrators, staff members and a few students, while the coaches, junior and senior boys, watched from outside the circle that formed during the altercation.

It is unknown if any suspensions have been given out as a result of the altercation, as the administration cannot discuss student discipline.

Powder Puff referee Mike Dibley said that if the game were played next year, he would like to see some changes.

The new changes that Dibley recommends include making the field bigger and make the game only passing plays.

According to Dibley, most of the game was played on the ground. He said that if there were more passing plays, the girls would not have been all in one area.

“Like five-year-old soccer, it was swarm ball. A lot of the girls were in one area going after the ball.”

Senior Powder Puff player Emma Gallagher said she believed that there should be some rule changes should Powder Puff continue next year.

“They can outline the rules a little bit better,” Gallagher said. “I think a little more structure would be worth it.”

Last year and in previous years, the game has been played on the South Lawn. This year, the game was played on the turf field, which Dibley said might have contributed to the altercation.

“When we have it out on the South Lawn, a lot of times it’s wet, it’s slippery and muddy, the girls can’t quite get the head of steam,” Dibley said. “It’s not quite as smash mouth because of the

footing.”

While Gallagher said that the altercation was “extremely chaotic” and “disappointing,” she would hate to see the game cancelled next year.

“Powder Puff is one of my most favorite Redwood traditions,” she said. “I had so much fun with it and I’ll be really disappointed if the years to come won’t be able to have that experience.”

Gallagher believes that the actions were by certain individuals and that both teams could have done nothing to prevent it.

Dibley said that the altercation was caused solely by the two girls who started it, which would be a reason for having the game next year.

If the Powder Puff game is played next year, it will be the twentieth year in a row the game was played in school history.