Homecoming festivities kicked off on Monday for the Tracy High School Bulldogs as the juniors squeaked by the seniors 6-0 in overtime during the annual Powderpuff contest. The victory for the juniors was the third straight win against the seniors. According to junior head coach Nathaniel Shelton, it was an immensely stressful competition.
“Out of all the things I’ve done in my life this might be the most stressful,” Shelton said, grinningly. “I’ve completed college, had two children, and those two things are two and three to how stressful this was.”
With the score 0-0 going into overtime, junior wide receiver ReAnna Zuniga emerged as the player of the game. Zuniga recorded a touchdown reception and an interception in overtime to slam the door shut on the seniors opportunity to stop the win streak of the juniors. The two electrifying plays left the audience cheering, including her team that lifted her up on their shoulders in victory.
“It was very exciting,” Zuniga explained. “I’m not sure I’ve ever felt anything like that. I’ve never been put on other people’s shoulders like that before.”
Zuniga felt the touchdown was a big play in helping the team be successful, but the interception played a larger role in the team’s victory over the seniors.
“I watched the quarterback’s eyes and saw that’s where the ball was going,” Zuniga explained, describing how she was able to break on the football so quickly out of the quarterback’s arm.
Junior Juliet David said she felt a “whirlpool of emotions” throughout the game, considering the contest was a defensive slugfest. In the end, the juniors celebrated their third victory in a row.
The annual Homecoming Powderpuff game demonstrates more than just the girls battling it out on the football field, however.
Imagine this, the crowd going wild, on the edge of their seats, boys impressing the audience with their cheerleading performances and the girls battling in a fierce competition on the field. Rigorous training and teamwork was needed to make it a memorable night, and the Bulldogs didn’t disappoint. In fact, it was not only memorable, but an amazing opportunity for individuals to present their skills, passion, and ability for all to see.
As Homecoming continues throughout this week at Tracy High School, students, parents and alumni highly anticipate Homecoming events such as the Powderpuff game throughout the school year.
