Redwood varsity football players reflect on the tradition, memories, and meaning behind Cowhide.

by Aliya Leyva

The Cowhide tradition is a very special game and event to many students and community  but mainly important to these football players, especially the varsity football team because this is a tradition and it is a very important game that everyone looks forward to.

Landon Gunter ‘27 is a varsity football player, says, “I have been leading up to Cowhide; it’s always electric, everyone’s ready for it because it’s an event people circle in their calendars.”

This is Gunter’s last year playing for the Redwood Ranger football team.

He really wants to enjoy his last year playing at Redwood, says, “I’m feeling good, especially from a good week of practice, knowing that we’re gonna do what we do best and hopefully win this game.”

Pre-game nerves are common, but during one of the biggest games of the school year, the nerves are through the roof.

Gunter says, “I am nervous before every game because I think I care about it so much and I have many scenarios running through my head,  but knowing I’m going to do what I know best to do on the field .”  

For Gunter to fully go 100% during a game, he says, “ I remember that I have a big future in football, and I’m trying to build on that and get better every day.”

Gunter also says, “The pressure is not that effective. I just think throughout practice, being able to know everything and learn everything so I can master it and I know I could go out there and perform to the best of my ability.” 

Marc Ybarra ‘30 is a varsity football player, and this is his first year playing at Redwood High School as well as his first year experiencing Cowhide.

Ybarra says, “Leading up to Cowhide, we definitely still took practice seriously; we stayed solid and made sure not to get distracted by the week and its activities.”

He has always loved playing football so for him to experience his first big competitive game, it was something new for him. 

He says, “I’m feeling great. I feel like our team has really brought it together this week and we have all the tools we need to win.”

Ybarra’s job is to dominate and do his job on the field while executing.

Ybarra says that what makes him go 100% is, “My teammates that count on me and my family that believes in me.”

“I feel the only way I can handle pressure is having belief in myself,” said Ybarra.

He says, “It’s senior night and Cowhide, a school legacy depends on the game.”

Ybarra plays left/right guard, saying, “My biggest responsibility is doing my job and protecting my running back and quarterback.”

What gets him prepared before kickoff is listening to music and “physically I like to just relax,” said Ybarra. 

Isaac Williams ‘27 a senior at Redwood High School, has been playing football for Redwood for 2 years now.

Williams says, “Practice has been looking competitive, and we are just preparing ourselves for the worst and the best at the same time.”

He says, “I’m feeling good, going into tonight’s game, I’m feeling rejuvenated and making sure we beat Mount Whitney and take home the hide once again and just handle business.” 

Something he says that motivates him to go all out is “being able to play football knowing that there’s many people out there who can’t play and I’m very blessed with the sport I play.” 

“I handle the pressure pretty well for the most part. When I feel pressure, I go into tendencies that make me feel comfortable again,” said Williams.

William says, “This cowhide is very special to me because this is my last cowhide and we are taking the cowhide home no matter what.”

He plays running back, DN, and a little bit of linebacker, but he says, “For the most part, my biggest responsibility is to make sure the other team does not take the ball home.”

Yain Andres Cervantes-Garcia ‘27 is a senior at Redwood High School; he has played for Redwood all 4 years.

Andres Cervantes-Garcia says, “Practice this week has been very high; we are all locked in and just ready to win this game and take the cowhide home”.

He says, “I’m feeling very confident, ready, prepared, and just ready to see who ends up with the win when we all know we are gonna take home the win.”

What makes him go 100% is “hearing everyone on the stands cheering for us, and the team having one hundred percent in energy and no one feeling down or having a bad mindset.”

Andres Cervantes-Garcia says, “I handle the pressure pretty well. I am a very confident person; I’m confident in my team and the ability that we have.”

He plays defensive lineman, and specifically defensive tackle; he says, “My biggest responsibility is to keep the gaps closed and winning the inside.”

Kane Romero ‘27 is also a senior at Redwood High School. He would like to enjoy his last year here at Redwood and spend it with the team he loves the most.

Romero says that “practice looks very energetic, everyone’s hype, and everyone is ready to take home this win.”

He says, “I’m feeling good; I’m just a little nervous. Cowhide is a big week; it’s a big game.”

This is Romero last year playing for Redwood, and this is also his last Cowhide; he would like to enjoy and take home the Cowhide once and for all.

Romero also says, “I do get nervous on the field, especially for our big games like Cowhide, but when I’m in the right mindset and do my job, then everything will go well and as we practiced.”

Romero plays O/line he says that his “biggest responsibility is to make sure the running back has places to run and the quarterback has time to throw.”

To get prepared mentally and physically before a big game, he says, “I try to get out of my own head and bad thoughts, so I listen to music before games.”

Aliya leyva
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Aliya Leyva, '28, a first year journalist enjoys interviewing athletes as well as new people. She also finds interest in learning about Redwood students and their thoughts about how they will accomplish more throughout the season.

 

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