The Old Rochester Bulldogs fell to the Wareham Vikings during the annual Powderpuff game on Wednesday Nov. 23 — but not without a fight.

The traditional Powderpuff flag football game is played before Thanksgiving each year and flips the sport’s gender roles — girls played the game while the boys cheered from the sidelines. 

Old Rochester Coach Michael Beson was looking forward to the game.

“This is a fun tradition we play every year, last year it was 30 degrees colder so this makes for good football weather,” Beson said.

ORR defensive back Emma Mullen was excited to come back to play for the tradition this year.

“We’ve been training for almost two weeks,” she said. 

Quarterback Rosie Lally fought hard for the Bulldogs throughout the game, with an impressive 25 yard throw in the second quarter.

As the tradition goes, a group of Wareham high school boys dressed in tutus over their sweatpants acted as cheerleaders for the game.

“I’m here for the cheerleaders,” said Vikings-supporter Isabella Rodriguez who couldn’t play due to a sinus infection. 

The cheerleaders did not disappoint with their choreographed half-time show that included cart-wheels and flips.  

“This was the most competitive game we’ve played,” said ORR head coach Scott Tavares. 

He noted the excellent defense played by Arianna Vinagre, and Maddie O’Connor. 

The Bulldogs  fought through the remaining fourth quarter after Wareham quarterback Marina Cadena scored the first touchdown of the game.

“We tried not to hurt them, but it got really aggressive at the end,” said player Joesphine Eleniefsky. 

Despite losing the annual game, the Powderpuffs  were still proud to be a part of the tradition. 

“We played to have fun,” said ORR player Kiera Harkins.