Powderpuff power on Homewood Field

A lively atmosphere filled with people and music came out to support Sunday's Powderpuff sorority football tournament on Homewood Field. The event is one in which each sorority looks forward to every fall, as it is truly  the only test of sorority strength. This cannot be decided on the dance floors of their formals or on the boards of JHU Confessions, but rather on one medium: the gridiron.

11:55: I can immediately feel how jacked up and nervous these players must be. Kappa Kappa Gamma, or as I think they should be called for this event Team De-Kappa-tation, is currently in a team huddle/prayer session and Delta Zi Phi(DXP) is doing some sort of dance/stretching session.

12:00: In terms of the uniforms, Kappa went all out. Their uniforms are jersey style and the coaches are rocking pink Kappa hats. Phi Mu and Pi Beta Phi also have legitimate get-ups with black skull jerseys and white pennies, respectively. DXP is in white t-shirts and standard black shorts.

12:18: Still waiting for the Game 1 between DXP and Kappa to start. At least the DJ keeps playing Katy Perry songs.

12:28 The players are starting to take the field. Kappa's big cheering section erupts, as the DJ has finally switched over to The Black Eyed Peas. DXP has the first possession, and it is apparent that the players do not have a clear understanding of the boundaries or the rules. Their coach also has a headset: is it real or just a decoy? DXP is forced to punt, and Kappa takes advantage of their field position by using an option offense with sweeps and short slant routes to find the end zone, 7-0 Kappa. After another big drive and a punt return for a touchdown, Kappa has scored 21 unanswered points.

12:56: I missed a little bit of the game because I had to update my fantasy football lineup: New Orleans' Mark Ingram or Cleveland's Montario Hardesty? Tough choice. It is now halftime of Game One. With a stingy defense, an offense with a gameplan, and a tailored team chant after every score, Kappa looks strong.

1:00: The second half has begun and DXP is clearly frustrated. Girls are getting hit and bodies are flying. Kappa has a man down and DXP just got flagged for excessive contact.

1:05: I just bumped into Phi Mu's enforcers, seniors Laurin Wolf and Kate Stoeckle for a pre-Game Two interview.

NL (The News-Letter): What's the team's game plan going in?

LW and KS: We plan to blitz a lot with some sort of triple attack. We've been practicing with a blitz line.

NL: How do Alpha Phi's "aggressive and expletive" posters make you feel?

LW and KS: They make us feel uncomfortable. It is not the spirit we want to evoke to campus about Greek Life, but we are pumped to go out there and play them.

1:15: I missed some more of the game to enter the raffle and to get some refreshments, but Kappa keeps scoring. The game just ended in a Kappa blowout.

1:20: Alpha Phi's intensity is evident as their student section just got told by Rob Turning, Head of Greek Life, to take down their signs. Wearing  black tights and high white socks, Alpha Phi has an organized stretching routine. It looks like they're ready to take down Phi Mu.

1:30: Game Two between Alpha Phi and Phi Mu has started. Alpha Phi has the ball first. Both teams are sporting black jerseys, so Phi Mu is forced to wear pennies following some sort of uniform regulation dispute.

Phi Mu has been bringing different blitz packages. Alpha Phi is doing a counter running attack but couldn't move the ball and turned it over on downs.

After a quadruple reverse and a defensive pass interference, Phi Mu drove the ball down field for the first points of the game. A Phi Mu chant breaks out among their fan base.

1:45: Meanwhile, on the other side of the field, Game Three between Kappa and Pi Phi has began. Kappa jumps to an early 8-0 lead. Back in Game Two, Phi Mu had a huge run for a TD: 14-0 Lions.

2:01: Halftime just ended in Game Two and Phi Mu brings out their secret weapon: a dancing lion mascot. Alpha Phi looks to go to the air but Phi Mu intercepts the pass and takes it to the house.

On the other field, Pi Phi trails, 8-0, and time is running out quickly. Pi Phi, the defending champions, just had a huge run all the way down the field for the score. After a quick three-and-out, Pi Phi drove down field again with a slant pattern to take the lead.

Despite a late push from Kappa, Pi Phi would not be denied, securing a 21-7 victory.

2:14: Phi Mu adds insult to injury. Still shutting out Alpha Phi, they just scored on a deep pass play to take a 24-0 lead.

2:25: The ultimate championship showdown is about to take place, Phi Mu vs. Pi Phi. May the best team win.

2:40: The game starts with Phi Mu having the first possession, but it results in a quick three-and-out. Pi Phi took advantage of the great field position and scored on their first play to the eclectic sounds of Dubstep music in the background.

Phi Mu is starting to slow down, as Pi Phi keeps their foot on the pedal. As a result of Pi Phi's stifling defensive play, Phi Mu is forced to punt on their second possession. If the Lions fail to stop Pi Phi on this drive, things may get ugly.

2:53: Phi Mu steps their game up with different blitz schemes and forces Pi Phi to punt. Pi Phi answers back quickly, however, with an interception in Phi Mu territory. On third-and-short, Pi Phi scores from a nice slant and Tim Tebow-esque jump pass across the middle.

3:00: Pi Phi is holding nothing back, scoring on a long run play and riding a 21-0 lead into the half.  Phi Mu looks outmatched, and if they can't come up with a game plan during the break, it may be a long second half.

3:15: Five minutes into the second half, Pi Phi uses a series of short and long passes to push the lead to 24.

3:30: Pi Phi holds on for a 24-0 victory. With the win over Phi Mu, Pi Phi swept Sunday's competition and won their second consecutive championship.

The debate over the best sorority on campus for 2011 has finally been put to rest . . . or has it?