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November 25, 2008

Powder Puff debut ends in game loss, but moral victory

By Stacie N. Galang

PEABODY — A second-half rally wasn't enough for Peabody High's Powder Puff team to tie up Saturday's game against Revere.

The first Tanners team lost, 14-7, but theirs was a valiant effort for their first outing, Principal Edward Sapienza said. On a late-in-the-game drive, the Tanners took the ball up to the Patriots' 20-yard line but couldn't put points on the board before the buzzer, according to Sapienza.

"Part of it was just because of our newness to it, and Revere's veteran status," he said.

The principal, also the offensive-line coach, said Revere scored quickly on the first drive up the field. The opponents put 14 up on the scoreboard before the Tanners answered with seven points of their own.

Sapienza said Peabody's defense turned up the heat, holding Revere to 14 points overall. All the points were scored in the first half.

"Both teams played admirably," he said. "It was a strong, strong competition. Our kids didn't give up."

Quarterback Kenia McKeon took heart in the Tanners' gutsy showing.

"I thought it was a great outcome," she said.

McKeon said the defense, stunned in the opening minutes of the game, soon got their footing.

"(Revere) got their first two touchdowns within the first quarter," she said. "After that, our defense was unbelievable."

MacKenzie Carpenter scored the Tanners' sole touchdown, and Jessica Leslie kicked the extra point. In the second half, Katie Tsapastaris punted the football to the Patriots' one-yard line and helped fend off another scoring drive, McKeon said.

The cooler temps kept fans away, but the seniors still managed to raise about $3,000 from gate sales, the principal said.

"The weather was brutal, with gale-force winds," he said.

Despite the loss and the frigid weather, the players and their supporters were upbeat.

"All in all, I think the kids had a great time," Sapienza said.

The principal was proud of his pioneering team and hoped the game inspired more girls to play next year.

The quarterback praised both her teammates and coaches, including head coach Brooke Randall.

"I'm very proud of the girls," McKeon said. "The girls did a phenomenal job."

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