School spirit got a much needed boost as the senior girls defeated the Lady Bulldogs in a powderpuff game on Wednesday afternoon.

Playing on their home turf, the Lady Vikings secured a 22-7 win.

Class president and valedictorian Paige Fehskens was one of many Wareham High girls on the field.

“I think it was great because it brought the school together. It really brought out some school pride, which I think we could really use,” she said.

The girls started out strong with two touchdowns early in the game. They didn't let up, giving ORR only one touchdown less than two minutes before the game ended.

“When we got the initial touchdown that gave us a lot of hope,” Fehskens said. “From then on we had the upper hand.”

ORR Principal Mike Devoll suggested the powderpuff game to his Wareham counterpart, Scott Palladino.

ORR’s tradition has been to play a junior versus senior game on the day before Thanksgiving, but Devoll wants to replace that tradition with a yearly game between the two rivals.

“It does nothing for school spirit, and it becomes more divisive then uniting,” said Devoll. “What better way than to get all of the seniors playing together against another school.”

Palladino agreed to host the game this year and got referees to officiate it.

While the ORR girls did not have a powderpuff game under their belt this year, the Lady Vikings did. Last week the senior girls played against underclassmen. That experience only helped them on Wednesday when it came time to take the field aginst ORR.

“They’re strong. They’re not letting go,” said ORR’s Maggie Wiggin.

Megan Kashner, Stephen Faniel and Chris Gardner lead the girls to victory.

Kashner said the girls practiced a fair amount before the game.

“It wasn’t just show up and play,” she said.

Like Fehskens, Kashner said the game helped to boost morale after a rough season for fall sports. Many came out for the game, including members of the football team, who cheered the girls on from the sidelines and did push ups each time they scored.

All in all, the game was a good experience.

“I thought it was a well-played game from both teams and clean,” Fehskens said. “I think it was great to bring rivals together, and [it left] the underdogs shining!”