By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
A spring tradition returned to Del Rio High, marking yet more step towards normalcy for the student body.
Thursday evening, representatives of the school’s Class of 2022 squared off against representatives of the Class of 2023 in the return of the Powder Puff flag football game at Walter Levermann Ram Stadium.
According to Alejandra Torres, Del Rio High School Student Council sponsor, Thursday’s game was the first to be played since 2018. The lack of a game could be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic that wiped out activities since its arrival in Spring 2019.
But the game was just part of an eventful evening for the Class of 2022. Immediately following the game, students participated in the Senior Walk on the all-weather track that surrounds the field at Ram Stadium. They then posed for the Senior Sunset photo in front of the home seating area once the walk was complete.
Nearly 500 students are set to take part in commencement ceremonies Friday evening at Walter Levermann Ram Stadium beginning at 8 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
As for the game, it was dominated by the seniors.
Sydney Ballard, the Del Rio High School Female Athlete of the Year, showed off her skills as she scored a pair of touchdowns in the first half to stake the Class of 2022 to a 12-0 lead by halftime.
“It’s not fair. It’s like trying to defend Tyreek Hill,” one coach from the senior team was overheard saying in response to Ballard’s play on offense. Hill, a wide receiver who now plays for the Dolphins, is considered one of the fastest players in the NFL.
Ballard also had three interceptions on defense.
In the second half, Shelly Hernandez scored on a pick six and Kayla Velasquez added a touchdown to stake the seniors to a 26-0 advantage.
Emotions ran high on both sides and from the stands as well. Chants of “Scoreboard!” and “Start the Bus!” came from the senior coaches and from some of the fans. Coaches on both sides were comprised of players from the Del Rio Rams football team and game officials were Rams football coaches including head coach Rod Taylor and assistants Robert Cardenas, Mark Guerra and Martin Sandate.
“I helped each team with one play call, that’s it,” Taylor said after he offered some guidance to the senior team during the first half.
The only thing missing were the cheerleaders, which in the past were comprised of male athletes dressed in cheerleading attire.
As the chants continued, coaches and administrators stepped in and brought an early end to the game, which ended with the traditional post game handshake line and zero arguments. Afterwards, both teams posed for photos including the seniors who were awarded medals for winning the game.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
