POULSBO — The North Kitsap Viking seniors came from two touchdowns behind to beat their junior competitors, 22-20 in NK’s annual — and final — powder puff football game.

Senior Heather Case made a key interception late in the game and then caught the go-ahead touchdown to put her class up for good.

“After the 14-0 (junior) lead, we made some adjustments on offense and defense,” said Sam Maleski, one of the coaches for the seniors and a player on the North Kitsap High School football team. “The intensity of the defense came around. This was a whole team effort.”

The stands were filled with shivering fans, who braved the cold to watch their school’s upperclassmen go toe to toe.

The game will probably mark the final time the girls will be allowed to hit the gridiron, due to safety and liability issues, NKHS assistant principal Susan Wistrand said.

“The advice we get (from risk management) is that you must document when you teach certain skills,” Wistrand explained.

With students — not teachers — coaching the teams, there is no documenting practices or the game, thus making liability and safety an issue.

And when the school district’s insurance company risk management pool said it would no longer cover the game, the high school pulled the plug.

“(Other schools) have had to give up their regular sports in the face of lawsuits (resulting from powder puff games),” NKHS ASB coordinator Robin Alberts said.

Next year, the school will look for something different to take the place of the game.

“We’re looking at alternative activities for next year,” Wistrand said.