Call It Flag Football Thank You Very Much

They do not see their game as a powder puff.

Neither will spectators when the Big Blue girls flag football squad takes the field against the Marblehead senior girls at 1 pm Saturday at Blocksidge Field.

At practice on Friday, the thumping and pounding sound was shoulders on shoulders and running shoes on turf.

Caroline Murphy leveled a block on the line.

Kelsie Mayo tore around end and scorched the sideline for a running score.

Jessie DePaolo dropped back in the pocket and threw a tight spiral.

Nearby several senior boys coaching the team said they and the girls take the flag football game very seriously. They want to win.

Yes, the game is a charity fundraiser; and no, the girls aren't wearing pads and playing tackle.

But it's a pride thing, said Chris Sullivan.

Fellow coaches Gino Cresta, Phil O'Connor, BIlly Valle and Trevor Whelan nodded.

The flag game is their Thanksgiving football game.

Jesse DePaolo says the game is huge.

She plays soccer, basketball and lacrosse, and grew up playing football.

Hers is a football family. Her father and brother played.

She is competitive and keeps going until "I get what I want," she said.

Right now she wants a victory in the flag football game — and a nomination to attend the Naval or Coast Guard Academy next year.

Class Adviser Joe Tenney said the girls like competition.

They, as a group, do not like the game to be called a powder puff, he said.

This is their one game. It's an entire season rolled into one game.

Fellow coach Joe Bennett said many girls look forward to three things when they enter Swampscott High School: The prom; getting their driver's license; and playing in the flag football game.

The game is Saturday.

Tickets are $5 for everyone. No passes will be accepted.

All proceeds go to charities.