The Arthriticats line up in their offensive formation. Senior coach Logan Carmean notices a shift in the girls’ soccer team’s defense and calls an audible for English teacher Karla Sprague to ‘do her thing.’
“Coaching the teachers was a blast. Their personalities are what made it fun, they were ready to show the students that they were a threat,” said Carmean. “The teachers responded to the coaching very well, they understood everything after a little explanation and they were eager to learn their positions and assignments.”
The Arthriticats, a team of teachers, played against the girl’s soccer team in the powder puff football championship game on December 3, 2014. The teachers couldn’t pull off the win, however, losing 22-8.
The Lady Wildcat soccer team went undefeated and won the championship. “It felt so great to be undefeated,” said senior Lindsay Will. “A lot of the other teams had been trash talking for weeks before the tournament and our team tried to keep our mouths shut.”
Although the teachers lost, they still did decent, going 3-2. “I am so proud of my team,” said English teacher Katy Moore. “I think I have mad skills.”
The powder puff game also gave students a chance to reverse the roles and be in charge of the teachers for a while. Some Wildcat football players got to coach the teams, and a few got to be in charge of their teachers.
“It was a lot different seeing how the teachers acted outside of school,” said senior football player Tyler Horstman. “They aren’t all boring like you would think. Being in charge felt great, especially telling them what to do when they messed up.”
“I think the team was awesome,” said debate coach Ta-Neisha Marshall. “I felt like it was a privilege to play with the teachers who made it to the championship game.”
Playing the teachers gives students a new perspective of how teachers are outside of the classroom. Usually students only see teachers in an environment where they are completely in charge.
“Playing against the teachers was so much different than playing against any of the other teams,” said Will. “It was different because they’re our teachers and we respect them and only see them in a classroom environment, so it was weird when we had to play them in a sport and roughhouse with them.”
Although the teachers may seem old and un-athletic, they surprised many with their play.
“They did pretty good, went 3-2 and made the championship,” said Carmean. “Mrs. Sprague and Ms. Smith balled out.”