Facepaint, fans, and football were the makings of last Saturday at Blocksidge Field. That’s because Marblehead squared off with Swampscott in the annual powderpuff flag football game, played by seniors from both schools.
The Magicians came out on top against the Big Blue, 28-12, to make it back-to-back wins after last season’s 21-14 victory.
After building a 14-0 halftime cushion, Marblehead poured it on – no pun intended with the rain – in the second half.
Ava Machado, Luka Bornhorst (2 TDs), and Sierra Leinberry all went home with touchdowns in this one. For track star Machado, it was no surprise that her score came through a 60-yard kickoff return in the second half.
Marblehead captains were Ramona Gillett, Juliet Burchfield, Paige Tredwell, Sophia Johns, Sydney Shull, and Hannah O’Brien. The team was coached by James Bickell, Gavin Lepler, James Mackenzie, Kyle Hart, Logan Doody, and Will Cerrutti (team manager).
Beyond the touchdowns and highlight-reel plays, the game served a bigger purpose. All proceeds went toward River Walker, a 3-year-old local boy with medulloblastoma. He has connections to Swampscott and Marblehead, as his mother is a Swampscott alumna and his grandmother lives in Marblehead. Online donations can still be made (riverwalk2024.com).
Now, it’s time for the varsity football game between the same two schools. Swampscott and Marblehead square off at Fenway Park with kickoff slated for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
