The cowhide football game

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Tyler Stark '24 is in his freshmen year, and this is his first year writing for the Redwood Gigantea.

Tyler hopes to work for Sports Illustrated in the future. Email Address. Post Views: Like this: Like Loading The two schools, located only a few blocks from each other in Visalia, California, a city of , people, have maintained this intense rivalry for over 50 years like very few schools have ever done.

The game is played before a packed stadium every year and the community claims it as the biggest event during the entire year. Part 1 explores the history of the Cowhide game, relating the early humble beginning when the original high school split into two schools.

The evolution of the game over 50 years is explored. Using hundreds of questionnaires, newspaper accounts, and many interviews with those involved over the years, the real meaning of the Cowhide tradition is explored and the reasons are brought out as to why this rivalry has not only endured but has actually increased in strength over the years. Part 2 gives a detailed account of each of the 50 games, including the teams' records coming into the game, the results of any subsequent playoffs, and a complete roster of the teams for each year.

The article of the local newspaper about the game is included in each chapter. At the end is an appendix of stats, a listing of head and assistant coaches, and other interesting items over the years.

Finally there is an index of all the players who played in the game and what years they played. John David J. Fischer taught and coached at Redwood, one of the two schools, for 31 years before retiring in He has continued to coach in the varsity program since his retirement. Each might lay claim that it is special in many ways. In the heart of the great central valley of California is one such rivalry that is exceptional in its power over the people who have been part of it.

Two high schools, Redwood and Mt. Whitney, began playing an annual football game against each other in The 50th game of this traditional rivalry was played in before 10, fans and a live television audience. The two schools, located only a few blocks from each other in Visalia, California, a city of , people, have maintained this intense rivalry for over 50 years like very few schools have ever done.

The game is played before a packed stadium every year and the community claims it as the biggest event during the entire year. Thousands come back every year for this one game, most of them alumni and former players in a gigantic homecoming affair. The pre-game pageantry tops many college games, often with fireworks and skydivers. If a team wins this game, the entire season is successful.

The game is called the Cowhide, because the teams play for an old cowhide bolted to a board.