The Latest: Girls avoid injury in tackle powder puff game

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Latest on the nation’s last tackle powder puff football game (all times local):

8:30 p.m.

The girls of Jupiter High School proved their point Friday night, at least for now — that they can play tackle football as safely as boys and have as much fun.

Three months after school administrators tried to kill the nation’s only tackle powder puff football game after 50 years, citing safety concerns, the Jupiter juniors defeated the seniors 18-0 in the 51st contest.

And though that result might spur some razzing over the summer and at future class reunions, the more important tally for the game’s future: no serious injuries. One girl left the game with a limp.

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5 a.m.

The nation’s last tackle powder puff football players are about to take the field.

The senior and junior girls from Florida’s Jupiter High School square off Friday night, a month after it appeared their annual tradition would be sacked after 50 years of play.

School officials had cancelled the game, citing safety concerns. But the girls scoffed at the idea that they need more protection than boys, and persuaded town officials to sponsor the game instead.

The girls said they have all suffered injuries before, in sports such as lacrosse, softball, volleyball and flag football, so if the boys can risk playing tackle football, they believe they should have the same right.