MARYSVILLE – The stadium at Marysville-Pilchuck High School was packed with fans of all ages as the evening of Friday, July 20, brought two football teams face to face for their third annual game to support youth athletics.
The Lakewood Cougar Mamas and the Marysville Charging Tomamamas slipped on their jerseys and helmets in a well-practiced battle to raise money for the Lakewood Youth Football Athletic Association and the Marysville Youth Football League.
As their names might suggest, the Cougar Mamas and the Charging Tomamamas aren’t ordinary football teams — they are Powder Puff football teams made up of mothers of local football players.
“I will tell you that I give amazing kudos to Marysville, they came out so much harder than last year and I was nervous because I thought, ‘I’m not going to lose,’” said Dawn Taylor, an event organizer and Cougar Mamas player. In the end, the Cougar Mamas emerged victorious with a final score of 12-0. “I know without a doubt that a number of our players said they felt like they’d been run over. They are sore, bruised, battered and totally excited to do it again next year. It’s really a great group of ladies.”
This year, the Powder Puff football game raised a grand total of more than $13,000 for youth athletics — roughly $5,000 for Marysville and $8,100 for Lakewood. “We should get some money trickling in for the next few days,” said Taylor.
In addition to selling tickets and concessions in order to raise money, the teams also hosted raffles with a number of prizes going out to those in the winning seats. Event organizers also built a program for every attendee and sold advertisements as another way of raising money.
Last year the group raised a approximately $9,000 after expenses, which was donated to the two athletic organizations.
Thousands were in attendance as the women battled it out on a bright July evening. But only one team could win.
“This is my first one of these games,” said Angela Diggs, a spectator. “I read about it and thought it would be a great place to bring the kids on a Friday night and it’s great. All the competition and yet there’s still camaraderie with everyone.”
An increase in concession sales from last year led Taylor to believe that there was an increase in attendance as well. “We made more money on game night this year,” she said.
The program, which was given to everyone at the gate, offered both advertisements for locally owned businesses as well as personal message ads to players. Taylor wanted to thank the community that attended the game as well as businesses that supported it.
“I want to thank the community. The support they give us is so amazing. Without people coming to support us and businesses helping their community we wouldn’t raise any money at all, so I just want to thank them.”
Overall, the game, competition and fundraising were successes for both sides of the field. “It was really successful and just a great, great game,” said Taylor.
“We bought so much gear because of last year’s game and this will help replenish us,” said Cindie Botsford, of the Charging Tomamamas. “It’s just amazing. It’s going to help a lot of kids with scholarships and new gear. It’s truly amazing.”
