Cowhide Superstitions: The Visitors’ Side Phenomenon

Students and Redwood Staff share their opinions on whether they believe in the away side Cowhide superstition or whether it remains a myth.

By: Annalissa Lira

Students around campus have all talked about the visitors’ side superstition during Cowhide week, but is there any truth behind it?

The superstition has been around for years amongst others, the superstition being that the team on the visitors’ side is who brings home the hide.

From 2021 up until last school year (2023), the pattern has seemingly brought some truth to the superstition with Redwood bringing home the hide in 2022 while being the visiting team. The superstition has since circulated schoolwide amongst Ranger football fans, creating a mix of opinions around campus.

Topaz Montoya, ‘25, says, “I think we are going to win,” and explains “I do think it is a coincidence, though. However, I do not think the superstition will affect the hype for Cowhide.”

Redwood Football celebrates bringing the
Cowhide back to Redwood
Photo A.Ozturk/Gigantea

Lucas de Lima, ’25, says, “Every year I have been in high school the visitors side has won, so I do believe there is some sort of pattern going on there. But I do think it is just coincidence, because we have no idea how this year is going to turn out. So the pattern could be broken this year, but hopefully not.”

So far, for the 2024 season, Ranger Varsity Football has had 3 total wins against El Diamante, Porterville, and Monache. The record has created mixed feelings about the outcome of Cowhide, which makes some students doubtful of the visitors’ side superstition with some taking it as just a coincidental pattern of wins for the past 3 years.

Coach Scharton, who was recently informed of the superstition had this to say about the following. He says, “I think [the superstition] is just coincidence. I think we will just have to play this one out and play for a couple of years before I believe in the superstition.”

He said, “I haven’t heard of any Cowhide superstitions, but I do know that anything can happen on Cowhide.”

Scharton also says, “As a coach, I think our preparation determines the hype for the game, but if superstitions play a part in it then so be it.”

Mr. David Clements, an English teacher at Redwood, who played in 3 Cowhides from 1989 to 1991, says, “I think it is mainly a coincidence but it happens a lot. In the 3 Cowhides I played in, the visitors only won once. However, for the past 6 years, the visitors have won. I think it’s kind of like flipping a coin, but obviously, there is evidence to say that it is true.”

As of recent records from calpreps.com, from 2011 to 2023, the away team has won 9 times in total. The other 4 wins were won by the home team. The superstitious pattern was broken in the years 2011, 2014, 2016, and 2017. The visitors’ side superstition remains a phenomenon that not many people can explain.