Current sophomore Hailey Downing attempts to break free from a defender in the 2017 LPPL games.
Let the games begin
October 23, 2018
Fall sports are a big deal in Texas. The volleyball team has won six state championships in the past decade and has clinched a district title this year, the boys cross country team is back-to-back state champions, and the football team is in a tight race for first place in its district.
Nevertheless, regardless of which UIL sport students find to be the most successful, entertaining, or popular, there is no denying that there is one sport that is just a little more special than all the other ones. A sport so special and prominent, an entire school day is devoted to its festivities.
This is the Lovejoy Powderpuff League, better known as the LPPL.
Each year, an electric atmosphere consumes the main gym as air horns blare, chants arise in solidarity, and banter is at its highest level when the girls of each respective class battle it out in the flag football tournament.
The first game of the tournament is scheduled for Wednesday at 10:45 a.m. in a duel between the ‘19 Seniors and ‘22 Freshmen. Immediately after the game, the ‘20 Juniors will square off against the ‘21 Sophomores (tentative start time of 11:45 a.m.). The two winners will then fight for the right to hoist the LPPL trophy in a championship game.
The LPPL also expanded its prominence by adding a volleyball tournament this year, but everyone knows the real action takes place with the football, so let’s get to the class-by-class preview.
Editor’s note: The reporting in this series is supposed to be humorous and has been blown out of proportion for purposes of entertainment.
Class of 2019
Year after year, the seniors are always the favorite pick to win the annual Lovejoy Powderpuff League championship. The Class of 2019, however, has managed to lose every single game they’ve ever played in. It is said they make the 2017 Browns look invincible. But this year, they’re out for revenge as the star-studded junior Class of 2020 continues to be the biggest obstacle to their success. However, despite last year’s results, the seniors are not backing down. Sure, it’s not looking too good. But their confidence is applaudable. Keep in mind, the Senior Curse, that is, getting upset by the junior class in the championship game, is a very real thing. And it’s definitely something this year’s seniors should be worried about, granted they make it past the first round.
Interview with coaches Coleman Christensen, Matt Kline and Chase Coronado
Interview with players Kassidy Litchenburg and Lizzie Weichel
Class of 2020
The Class of ‘20 was arguably the most talented squad in last year’s LPPL, but their furious comeback bid against the Class of ‘18 fell just short in the championship game. This year’s team retains the same core players, and with a quest for vengeance, this team will be a force to be reckoned with. The Class of ‘20 and its plethora of weapons on offense will face a porous Class of ‘21 defense that surrendered more than 40 points to the seniors last year. The first round has all the makings of a walk in the park, but the prospect of a championship against the seniors is the most notable storyline for this bunch.
Interview with coaches Harper Pool, Quinn McDermott and Leighton Archer
Interview with players Reagan Matacale and MacKenzie Mitchell
Class of 2021
No points and more than 40 allowed a year ago. That’s really all it boils down to for the sophomore class, which quickly became the laughing stock of the PPFL. Perhaps the biggest sign of promise is that, well, it can’t get any worse than last year. But that’s not to say this year will be easy. The juniors operate a potent offense, and things could head south in a hurry for this team if it doesn’t play mistake-free football.
Interview with coaches Luke Mayfield and James Boyd
Interview with player Julia Brochu
Class of 2022
Despite the initial trouble faced regarding the effort to organize a team, the freshman class has successfully rallied enough students to volunteer to get publicly embarrassed in front of the entire student body. It is never a pretty sight, the freshmen versus the seniors, but it is what makes this game so darn great. However, with the senior class never actually having won a game, the playing field is slightly more even. Although, the officiating hasn’t been taken into account, yet.
Interview with coach Noah Naidoo
Interview with players Khloe Litchenburg and Emma Bittlestone