Throughout Redwood and Mt. Whitney’s 70-year-old rivalry, how have the tides changed from the first game in the late 1950s to the modern-day 2020s?

By Jacob Serrato and Luis Flores

Since 1955, the city of Visalia has been home to the Cowhide rivalry game between the Redwood Rangers and Mt. Whitney Pioneers. Only 3 minutes away from each other, fighting not just for the hide, but for supremacy, bragging rights, and turf.

Eight decades of the Cowhide have come and gone, that have defined what the Cowhide means to these two schools, and that all started in the 1950s.

1950’s: The First Five: Mt. Whitney 3-2

  • 1955: Mt. Whitney 34, Redwood 0
  • 1956: Mt. Whitney 47, Redwood 19
  • 1957: Mt. Whitney 32, Redwood 6
  • 1958: Redwood 13, Mt. Whitney 0 
  • 1959: Redwood 19, Mt. Whitney 12

In 1955, the first annual Cowhide game was played. Mt. Whitney would take the first-ever matchup, 34-0, in a blowout win against a lower-classmen Redwood team. Over the next two years, Whitney dominated: 1956: 47-13 and in 1957: 32-6. Whitney, in the first three games, combined for 113 points and only allowed the Rangers to score 19 total points.

It wasn’t until the final two years that Redwood finally got its first taste of victory in 1958: 13-0 and in 1959: 19-12. A valiant last effort for the Rangers to close out, but Whitney gets the best of them.

The 1950s were only the stepping stone of this historic rivalry ever; the next seven decades will go on to make it the game it has become, but as of right now, Mt. Whitney takes the 1950s and leads the series matchup 3-2.

Mt. Whitney leads 3-2

1960’s: The Show begins: Mt. Whitney 6-3-1

  • 1960: Redwood 0, Mt. Whitney 0 (Tie)
  • 1961: Redwood 34, Mt. Whitney 6
  • 1962: Mt. Whitney 20, Redwood 0
  • 1963: Redwood 6, Mt. Whitney 0
  • 1964: Mt. Whitney 33, Redwood 6
  • 1965: Mt. Whitney 19, Redwood 0
  • 1966: Mt. Whitney 27, Redwood 14
  • 1967: Mt. Whitney 21, Redwood 19
  • 1968: Mt. Whitney 18, Redwood 12
  • 1969: Redwood 21, Mt. Whitney 0

The 1960s opened a new decade of football, as it was the first time we had ten full matchups. The year started history, but not for the reasons you think.

In 1960, Redwood and Mt. Whitney tied with a final score of 0-0; it’s the only time in Cowhide history the two teams have tied. Redwood will go on to win two of the next three matchups. With all momentum leading their way in 1964, except Whitney caught fire.

From 1964-1968, Mt. Whitney won five straight games, only allowing Redwood to score 10.2 points in the five games played. Redwood would win the final matchup of the 60s, but the real story was Mt. Whitney’s five-game win streak. 

Mt. Whitney claims the 1960s with a record of 6-3-1 and adds to their series lead over the Rangers. 

Mt. Whitney leads 9-5-1

1970’s: Go Whitney Go: Mt. Whitney 7-3

  • 1970: Mt. Whitney 26, Redwood 8
  • 1971: Redwood 20, Mt. Whitney 9
  • 1972: Mt. Whitney 53, Redwood 20
  • 1973: Redwood 34, Mt. Whitney 0
  • 1974: Mt. Whitney 16, Redwood 14
  • 1975: Mt. Whitney 30, Redwood 20
  • 1976: Mt. Whitney 14, Redwood 13
  • 1977: Mt. Whitney 38, Redwood 0
  • 1978: Mt. Whitney 18, Redwood 14
  • 1979: Redwood 25, Mt. Whitney 7

The 1970s were highlighted by roller disco, vinyl records, and multiple blockbuster movies, but in Visalia, it was highlighted by a coaching matchup between two men, Roger Kelly and Charlie Casale.

Roger Kelly, the leader of the Redwood Rangers from 1969-1988, put together a 148-72-2 record; he led the Rangers to three Central Section titles in 1973, 1982, and 1983 as well as national coach of the year in 1973 after a perfect 12-0 season.

Charlie Cassale, the play caller for the Pioneers from 1975-1987, and again from 1993-1999, with a 143-96-2 record, was the leader of the 1978 Mt. Whitney football team who went 13-0 and captured a Central Section Yosemite Division Championship. He was later inducted into Mt. Whitney’s athletic Hall of Fame in 2017.

To start the 70s, it was a back-and-forth fight in four different games, resulting in four different blowout wins, but for the second decade in a row Whitney caught fire and had yet another dominant run.

Five straight wins for the Pioneers once again, each game being as close as they got except 1977, when Whitney blew out Redwood.

Mt. Whitney rules the 1970s; they take the decade 7-3 and take a valiant series lead over the Rangers. 

Mt. Whitney leads 16-8-1

1980’s: Split Decision: Tie 5-5

  • 1980: Redwood 6, Mt. Whitney 0
  • 1981: Mt. Whitney 35, Redwood 21
  • 1982: Mt. Whitney 28, Redwood 14
  • 1983: Redwood 41, Mt. Whitney 34
  • 1984: Redwood 20, Mt. Whitney 14
  • 1985: Mt. Whitney 52, Redwood 20
  • 1986: Redwood 24, Mt. Whitney 7
  • 1987: Redwood 24, Mt. Whitney 3
  • 1988: Mt. Whitney 13, Redwood 9
  • 1989: Mt. Whitney 29, Redwood 23 (OT)

The 1980s were a unanimous split decision; both teams took five games each, with the highlights being the 1983 game, Redwood winning 41-34 with a total of 75 points, which at the time was the most points scored in the Cowhide game.

1985 saw the Pioneers blow out the Rangers 52-20, then to end the year Whitney claims the overtime victory 29-23.

But the landmark was changed during the 80s; in 1987, Charlie Casale stepped down as Mt. Whitney’s head coach, then in 1988, Roger Kelly followed right after, two men who helped define their respective programs and the Cowhide game. In the head-to-head coaching matchup, Kelly took the close victory 9-7.

The 1980s are the only time both teams won five games each. With the departure of two beloved coaches, their successors would take over. In 1987, Ed Torres was hired to be Whitney’s head coach and would be the coach until 1993. On the other side, Redwood hired John Yavasile. The two squared off in 1989 with Whitney getting the win, but little did we all know what was lurking in the shadows.

Mt. Whitney leads 21-13-1

1990’s: Yavamania Begins: Redwood 10-0

  • 1990: Redwood 17, Mt. Whitney 13
  • 1991: Redwood 35, Mt. Whitney 0
  • 1992: Redwood 47, Mt. Whitney 9
  • 1993: Redwood 50, Mt. Whitney 11
  • 1994: Redwood 48, Mt. Whitney 14
  • 1995: Redwood 30, Mt. Whitney 0
  • 1996: Redwood 48, Mt. Whitney 0
  • 1997: Redwood 14, Mt. Whitney 10
  • 1998: Redwood 28, Mt. Whitney 7
  • 1999: Redwood 19, Mt. Whitney 14

Football in the 1990’s was pioneered by high-passing plays, from the Bills’ K-Gun offense to the West Coast offense, and the “Fun n’ Gun”, but for the Cowhide it can only be summarized in one word: Yavamania.

The 1990 Cowhide game at Mt. Whitney, which produced a 9-0 season, along with the top offense in the Central Section, had a 13-3 lead over the Rangers heading into the 4th quarter. The Rangers went on to score two touchdowns late and win the game, stunning the Pioneers 17-13.

This one game went on to spark a ten-game win streak and the first and only sweep in Cowhide history. The Rangers were on top of the world, and under the leadership of John Yavasile, things would only go on to become much more perfect.

In 1993, legendary head coach Charlie Casale returned to Mt. Whitney, but the results stayed the same in his first Cowhide back; Casale’s team lost 50-11 in a game that was never close. 

1996 saw history be made. Redwood blew out Mt. Whitney 48-0; both Jason Serrins and Nick Squagila combined for 5 total touchdowns. The victory marked the largest margin of victory at that time in the rivalry. 

The 1990s can only be summed up in three words: Pure Redwood Dominance.

Rangers take all momentum heading into the 2000s, claim the 1990s, and take the series lead for the first time.

Redwood leads 23-21-1

2000’s: New decade, same dominance: Redwood 8-2

  • 2000: Mt. Whitney 14, Redwood 13
  • 2001: Redwood 27, Mt. Whitney 10
  • 2002: Redwood 27, Mt. Whitney 6
  • 2003: Redwood 42, Mt. Whitney 9
  • 2004: Redwood 41, Mt. Whitney 12
  • 2005: Redwood 34, Mt. Whitney 14
  • 2006: Mt. Whitney 62, Redwood 20
  • 2007: Redwood 35, Mt. Whitney 32
  • 2008: Redwood 35, Mt. Whitney 21
  • 2009: Redwood 47, Mt. Whitney 6

The 2000s started with a close 14-13 competition with Whitney coming out on top, snapping Redwood’s win streak at ten, which is the longest win streak in Cowhide history.

As history teaches us, you can only stop the team once before they strike back. From 2001-2005, Redwood caught fire, blowing out Whitney in each game. Whitney would return the favor with a 62-20 blowout win, but the Rangers closed it out with three straight wins.

In that span was the thriller 2007 Cowhide. Entering the fourth quarter, Whitney held a 25-14 lead, then went to 32-14 off the back of Ben Bowen, who rushed for 286 yards and 4 touchdowns. Despite Redwood QB Brett Brodersen’s 4-interception game, the Rangers would go on to complete a 21-point comeback.

 An 87-yard punt return and Matt Morales’ game-sealing 64-yard pick-six ended the game 35-32, a thrilling game to remember.

In the entire 2000 decade, Whitney saw three head coach changes: Ron Roberts 2004-2005, Robert Dougherty 2005-2008, and Justin Fowler 2009-2010; all combined weren’t enough to stop Yavasile’s squad.

Redwood continues its dominant stretch, claiming the 2000s and entering the new era of the 2010s ahead.

Redwood leads 31-23-1

2010’s: A new era: Redwood 6-4

  • 2010: Redwood 42, Mt. Whitney 17
  • 2011: Mt. Whitney 17, Redwood 7
  • 2012: Mt. Whitney 44, Redwood 17
  • 2013: Redwood 35, Mt. Whitney 13
  • 2014: Redwood 41, Mt. Whitney 14
  • 2015: Redwood 45, Mt. Whitney 14
  • 2016: Redwood 31, Mt. Whitney 13
  • 2017: Mt. Whitney 57, Redwood 56
  • 2018: Mt. Whitney 29, Redwood 25 
  • 2019: Redwood 49, Mt. Whitney 19

The 2010s started strong for Redwood; they dominated Whitney, putting up a 42-17 blowout win, adding on to a four-game win streak dating back to 2007.

Tears of happiness and sadness were endured entering 2011. After 22 seasons, John Yavasile stepped down as Redwood’s head coach, putting together an untouchable resume: 156-94-4, holding the most wins in Redwood’s history, a 1996 Central Division l Valley championship, 8 West Yosemite League titles, and the most wins in the Cowhide with a 19-3 record.

In the same way, Mt. Whitney ended its tenure with Justin Fowler and were searching for a new leader.

Both teams found their guy; Mt. Whitney hired Marty Martin as their new head coach, and Redwood hired Shaun Ball as the predecessor to John Yavavsile.

2011 and 2012 saw Whitney win back-to-back games. In that 2012 game, Mt. Whitney quarterback Tucker Mendonca went a perfect 23/23 for 416 passing yards and 4 touchdowns, setting a California state record for completion percentage marks in a single game, leading to a 44-17 blowout win.

Redwood caught fire with four straight wins from 2013-2016. In 2017, a shootout happened at a back-and-forth brawl. Redwood held the lead late, but Mt. Whitney capped off the night with a late-game touchdown and 2-point conversion to seal the game for the Pioneers. 57-56, 113 total points, the most points scored in the rivalry’s history.

2018 saw another head coach change; Adam Valencia took over as Whitney’s play caller, and Kevin Scharton took over at Redwood. Whitney took 2018, and Redwood took  2019.

The 2010s saw so much change, but Redwood still came out on top, winning the 2010s 6-4, and taking the commanding lead in the all-time series matchup.

Redwood leads 37-27-1

2020’s: Post Covid: Redwood 3-2

  • 2020: Canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic
  • 2021: Mt. Whitney 13, Redwood 7
  • 2022: Redwood 28, Mt. Whitney 0
  • 2023: Mt. Whitney 20, Redwood 14 (OT)
  • 2024: Redwood 28, Mt. Whitney 7
  • 2025: Redwood 51, Mt. Whitney 6
  • 2026: Redwood 28, Mt. Whitney 14

The 2020s represented a new decade, a look into the future, but it was put on hold. The outbreak of the Coronavirus led to a nationwide pandemic, putting the entire world on hold. In 2020, we had the NBA bubble, a 60-game MLB season, and the NFL’s 16-game season, but no Cowhide; it’s the first and only time the Cowhide has been cancelled.

2021 was a new year, aka post covid. Under new head coach Nathan Chamberlain, Mt. Whitney won 13-7. The 2020s were a back-and-forth fight: 2022 Redwood wins in a blowout, 2023 Mt. Whitney wins in overtime, 2024 Redwood wins in another blowout.

Before the 2025 season, Redwood made a switch at the head coach position, hiring former College of the Sequoias head coach Curtis Allen. In his first game as Cowhide Coach, Allen’s squad took home a blowout 51-6 victory. That win marked Redwood’s third blowout win in the 2020’s.

Redwood leads the 2020s 3-2. 2026 will mark the 71st cowhide game. The new Mt. Whitney head coach, Tim Adebayo, coached in his first Cowhide game against Curtis Allen’s squad. New look, same ending: the Rangers took the 28-14 win, adding on to a three-game win streak dating back to 2024. The Rangers take a 4-2 lead in the 2020s series.

Redwood leads 41-29-1

The rivalry has changed. From the 1950’s to the 1980s, Mt. Whitney was the big brother holding the impressive 21-13-1 lead over Redwood, but the tides have turned in the last four decades. Redwood’s 10-game win streak in the 90s shaped that dominance and has continued into the 2020s with a 26-8 record in that span.

From the late 1950’s to the post covid 2020’s this rivalry has stayed as competitive and heated as ever before. The narrative has stayed the same since the early days; only one school will walk away as champion.

Jacob Serrato
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Jacob Serrato is a senior and first year sports writer for the Redwood Gigantea, he is beyond thrilled to be apart of the Gigantea and to cover Redwood sports all year long.

Luis Flores
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Luis Flores is a sophomore that is apart of Redwood Gigantea, he loves to write about sports topics and can't wait to write plenty of stories and cover every sport of Redwood.

 

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