This Saturday morning at 10 a.m., the Marblehead–Swampscott Powderpuff rivalry returns as 87 Marblehead High School senior girls take to Blocksidge Field in Swampscott. The Magicians have beaten Big Blue the past two years.
“Powderpuff is the heart of senior year for the girls,” said longtime coach Jacqui Bouchard, who came out of a one-year retirement to lead the team again this fall. “They look forward to this experience from the day they walk into MHS as freshmen. That’s one of the many reasons I love it.”
Bouchard added: “The tradition is real. The excitement is huge, and the bonding over four weeks of practice is overwhelming. These girls start out with no football knowledge and, like magic, four weeks later on game day they’re football players. They call plays, they know positions. It’s awesome.”
This year’s student captains are Sadie Beane, Grace Rowe, Quinn Harris, Lilah Greten, Lara Dolan and Hailey Schmitt.
Student coaches are Cam Gibson, Abdullah Al Janabi, Grady Becker, JJ Downey, Cole Barbeau and Drew Dephillips.
The rivalry, which dates back to the 1970s, is a fundraiser that brings in thousands of dollars each year. The towns split the proceeds to donate to charities. Bouchard said the MHS seniors hope to use their share to dedicate a bench in Marblehead in memory of Savanah Gatchell, the Veterans School student killed by an alleged drunk driver this summer.
Bouchard has her own history with Powderpuff — she played in 1993 — and she said the tradition continues to create lifelong memories.
“Win or lose, smiles or tears, I always tell these ladies they are awesome and they make me proud,” she said.
Tickets are $11 and available here.
