Roxboro Community School (RCS) made a new addition to the festivities of the annual Bulldog Night this year, hosting its first-ever Powderpuff football game. It was an event designed to boost school spirit, bring families together, and create memories for students and the community alike.
According to Megan Clark, a member of the RCS Athletic Committee, the idea grew out of a brainstorming session. “The Athletic Committee’s Events Committee has been brainstorming a theme for Bulldog Night, and we thought ‘Friday Night Lights’ would be a great fit,” Clark said. “Many schools hold powderpuff games, which ties perfectly into the theme, and we believe it would bring something fresh and exciting to our event.”
Now, what is powderpuff football? The game consisted of RCS junior and senior girls taking the field for a game of flag football, while the boys stepped in as cheerleaders, performing spirited routines on the sidelines along with some jaw dropping flips. This year, RCS expanded the roster to include sophomores in hopes of encouraging more participation. Faculty members have also stepped up to serve as coaches and referees, making the event a true schoolwide effort.
With this being a brand new activity for RCS, there was a bit of trouble putting it all together. “Like with anything new, some people were a little hesitant to jump in, but overall we had a great turnout,” Clark said. “We think some students just weren’t sure what to expect, so we’re excited to build awareness and get even more involvement next year.”
The athletic committee sees the event as more than just fun, it’s also an opportunity to benefit all of the school’s athletic programs. “We believe that all of our sports teams will benefit from the game,” Clark explained. “It brings excitement, draws people out to watch, and creates a fun atmosphere where families and fans can enjoy the game—and while they’re here, hopefully pick up lots of snacks and apparel in support of every Bulldog team.”
Overall, the game is about developing school spirit while fostering community pride. “We’re all about creating fun and exciting new ideas,” Clark said. “We hope this brings our students and student-athletes together for a night full of energy, laughter, and memories.”
Looking ahead, Clark and the committee hope to build on this event and continue to expand. The committee is hoping to incorporate powderpuff into the list of lasting traditions at RCS, whether as part of Bulldog Night or tied to other school spirit events like Homecoming. “It’s always important to introduce new activities that get students excited and involved,” she said. “Even if you don’t play sports, we want the games and events we put on to be something you actually look forward to.”
For RCS, the first Powderpuff game was not only a segment of entertainment for Bulldog night attendees, but some consider it to be a step toward boosting school culture and really making this school a community. “We love seeing our community come out and support the events we have,” Clark said. “We’re constantly looking for ways to build excitement and show Bulldog pride, and we hope this is just the start of something special.”