Redwood’s Varsity Football Team faced their rivals, the Mt. Whitney Pioneers in the Mineral King Bowl this past Friday night. Seniors share their thoughts and feelings towards the game’s loss as they reflect on their past seasons with the team.
Rhett Johnson, ‘24, has been on the Varsity Football Team for two years. He says that this game stings more, as opposed to some of the other games the team has faced. He says, “This game had a significance behind it. I know it was our last game to take home the hide for the fans.”
“We must shake off this loss and focus on what we have ahead in the playoffs. Otherwise we will have no momentum going into our first game,” he says.
Through the loss, Johnson notes the family that is Redwood Football. “Being on this team has created a brotherhood like no other. It has allowed me to have brothers that I know will always support me.”
Isaak Mendoza, ‘24, looks to the future and says, “For me, after this postseason time, football will be done. If I have a kid and he or she wants to play then I’ll pick up the sport again, but until then I will be watching on the big screen.”
Mendoza continues, “As a kid growing up in Visalia, all you would hear about is the Cowhide and ever since then that is why I wanted to play at Redwood so this loss hurts a lot.”
Scotty Weber, ‘24, says, “This loss was aggravating. It still doesn’t even feel real. I can’t wrap my head around the fact that I lost my senior Cowhide.”
“The only good part about losing a game is it leaves a learning experience and we can take from it and use that as fuel heading into playoffs.”
Weber ends in saying, “This was my last ride. After this season I plan to hang up the cleats.”
Photo Miller/Gigantea
Ronnie Walsh, ‘24, appreciates the experience of the game. He says, “This is my first year playing on Varsity and this team has impacted my life in many ways. The relationships and the bonds with my teammates this season is something that I will never forget. Also, just playing the game. I love it, and getting to do it with my brothers made it even better.”
Photo Miller/Gigantea
Jordan Nguyen, ‘24, has been on the Varsity team for 3 years. He reminisces and says, “Being a Sophomore and seeing the Seniors lose their own Senior Cowhide hurt me. Now it is happening to me and it is unreal and it hurts.”
Nguyen says that being on this team impacted him by, “learning how to work with people and how to love people who make you feel like you are all brothers.”
Karli Branson
Karli Branson, '24 is a Feature Editor for the Redwood Gigantea but is always open to explore other sections. Outside of the Gigantea she enjoys the fashion industry! You can reach Karli at karli.br4537@vusd.us.
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