ODA kicks off first O Bowl

LAKEWOOD RANCH — As the final seconds of the first half ticked off the clock, Melanie Mason tucked the football safely inside her navy blue jersey and took off for the end zone.

The Out-of-Door Academy sophomore running back ran left then cut right, making her way into the secondary before a swarm of white jerseys descended upon her — sending her red flag flying and signaling the end of the first half.

Trick plays such as these were the name of the game for the seniors and sophomores, who kept the juniors and freshmen off guard for four quarters to preserve a 13-6 victory in The Out-of-Door Academy’s first O Bowl Feb. 26.

Led by senior quarterback Rachel Cannon, who threw for two touchdowns and an extra point, Team Blue captured the powder puff trophy and bragging rights in the school’s first girls flag football game under the lights.

“It’s just fun — it’s like playing any other sport,” said Cannon, who played the entire game. “It’s kind of special though because girls don’t really get to play football.

“I didn’t want to miss a second,” she said. “I never like to come out of any game. You can’t deny a night of competition.”

In addition to bragging rights, the seniors and sophomores also won points toward the Thunder Cup — the prize of a yearlong competition between the different grade levels.

ODA has held a powder puff football game in years past, but with its new football stadium now complete, the school decided to take a traditionally small-scale event and turn it into a bigger spectacle.

“We have this new stadium and the lights, so we wanted to make it primetime under the lights on a Saturday night,” ODA Director of Student Activities Tim Brewer said.

Any girl in grades 9-12 was eligible to play. The seniors and sophomores represented Team Blue, and the juniors and freshmen played as Team White.

“I’ve always been athletic, and I wanted to prove that I’m as athletic as the guys because they think they’re so good because they play football,” junior Sammi Jo Gaeta said. “It’s fun because we don’t get to play football in school.”

Once the teams were in place, the girls spent about a month learning plays and practicing with their assistant coaches — members of the Thunder football team.

“I like the whole reversal of roles,” Brewer said. “The girls take center stage, and the boys help coach. It also gives the girls in different grades an opportunity to get to know one another and bond.”

With game day upon them, the two teams took the field, and it wasn’t long before the smack talking ensued. Penalty flags began to fly as elbows were thrown, inadvertent tackles were made and blood was shed.

Team Blue took a 13-0 halftime on a pair of touchdown grabs by sophomores Sam Albano and Caroline Dailey. Team White responded late in the third quarter on a long touchdown run by Gaeta, but it proved too little too late.

“We’re competitive with the seniors,” Gaeta said. “We didn’t want to lose to them.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].