Eden Prairie High School’s annual powderpuff charity flag football game drew a crowd to Aerie Stadium on Sept. 29, bringing together students, athletes and volunteers for a night of friendly competition – and a good cause.

This year’s event, led by the school’s DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) chapter, raised about $5,000 for True Friends, a Minnesota-based nonprofit that provides camps and travel experiences for children and adults with disabilities. The organization serves more than 25,000 people annually, including at Camp Eden Wood in Eden Prairie.

The two-game event featured spirited matchups between the freshmen and sophomores, and later, the juniors and seniors. Both contests ended in overtime. The freshmen edged the sophomores 7-6, while the juniors topped the seniors 9-8 after a tense series of extra-point kicks.

“The most important part is that the girls had fun – and I think they did,” said senior Zane Frost, captain of the Eden Prairie football team and honorary coach for the seniors. “At the end of the day, it’s a charity event, so as long as everyone’s having fun and staying safe, that’s what really matters.”

Even in defeat, the seniors kept it light. “We went 0-4 (as a class in powderpuff games), but we all just had fun being together and ending the year on a high note,” said senior quarterback Emerson Johnson, who is also captain of the girls basketball team.

Students lead – and learn – through DECA

For more than a decade, Eden Prairie DECA has hosted the powderpuff game as a way to raise funds for local charities while teaching students leadership and event-management skills.

“When we started, none of us imagined it would grow into something like this,” said senior Jia Chenchlani, DECA vice president of competition (roleplay).

“Our advisors are amazing, and there’s so much support that it can truly be student-driven,” Chenchlani added. “We’re the ones talking to administrators, setting things up, finding sponsors, and managing donations. This is a large-scale charity event – hundreds of people come out, and we’re raising a lot of money from raffle tickets and sponsors.”

Chenchlani said about 25 DECA members helped plan and run this year’s event, from selling raffle tickets to coordinating logistics. Roughly 200 students are part of the DECA chapter overall.

“It’s awesome to gain real-world experience – networking, asking for donations, managing logistics – all while balancing schoolwork,” she said.

DECA president Nawal Abdullahi said the students had just one week to recruit players, collect raffle items, and organize donations.

“The game was three weeks earlier than usual, so we had a much shorter timeline,” she said. “We relied on our network – friends, siblings, and other student leaders – and worked with other clubs like Key Club, NHS, and Student Council to spread the word.”

Abdullahi said the experience taught her the importance of asking for help and the value of collaboration. “It’s important to support others when they need it, just like they support you,” she said. “That’s been one of the biggest lessons for me.”

Despite the crunch, Abdullahi said, everyone came “ready to work and be part of something bigger than themselves.”

“Communication has never been an issue – everyone brings their best energy, and it’s been really fun to see that enthusiasm come together,” she said.

Lessons beyond the field

On the field, coaches and volunteers saw more than touchdowns and tackles. They saw lessons in teamwork, perseverance and community.

“I think they’re learning teamwork, for sure,” said EPHS assistant football coach Titus Bates, who coaches the varsity boys running backs and has volunteered as a referee for the powderpuff game for five or six years. “Some of these young ladies don’t play other sports – this might be the only one they ever do – but they come together as a unit. That’s what you get from sports: learning to work together, support each other and have fun doing it.”

The night ended in cheers and laughter under the stadium lights. For Frost, it was a fitting send-off to senior year.

“It feels great to be part of something bigger than yourself,” he said. “(You get to hang) out with your friends, have a good time and put on a show for the crowd. It’s just a great all-around event.”

Editor’s note: Eden Prairie Local News sports photographer Rick Olson contributed to this report.