WOODBURY- A lighthearted tradition that has been exclusive to Nonnewaug High School is being revisited this year with the long-standing Corn Bowl being played on the 25th of November. 

The Corn Bowl is a rendition of flag football that has been played at Nonnewaug since the 70s and 80s. The game has been played for years, but it’s been on and off. During the 2000s, it was ended for a variety of reasons. 

In the Corn Bowl, senior students, who don’t play football, play against faculty members. The game is a casual affair and is a way for teachers to participate and bond with not only fellow faculty members, but students as well. 

“We’ve had some teachers who are pretty good athletes and really into that sport,” says John Dominello, NHS culinary instructor who played in last year’s game and will play in the 2024 game. “We’re looking forward to stepping up and having a camaraderie with students and coming together to have a big win.”

While some teachers are prioritizing having fun over winning, other teachers are dead-set on winning. 

Mykal Kuslis, Nonnewaug’s principal, participated in the game last year. He had a receiving touchdown from a fellow faculty member in the 2023 game, and he is feeling very competitive. 

“We’re going to crush them,” Kuslis says. “I already told [Matt Shupenis] that I’m going to have three interceptions against him.” 

Although winning and playing a fun game are the main priorities for teachers, so is playing a fun, safe game where no one– including teachers– gets hurt. 

“Since I’m competing, I’ve been getting in shape and staying stretched out so I don’t get hurt,” Kuslis says. “As Mr. Denman says, the greatest injury of old men is thinking that they are young men, and so I just want to make sure no one gets hurt.”

Following this year’s Corn Bowl will be the annual Powderpuff football game between the junior girls and senior girls. This year’s senior girls are looking to avenge last fall’s game against the 2024 senior class.