For our varsity football seniors, Cowhide is more than just a rivalry game; it’s one last chance to represent their class, reflect on years of memories, and take the field against their biggest rivals before closing the chapter on their high school football careers.
By Kylee Santillan
Three seniors share and reflect on their time here in the football program and their upcoming final Cowhide game.
For London Butler, ’27, Cowhide is a tradition he has enjoyed being a part of throughout his high school football experience.
“It means everything. It’s a fun tradition, and I’ve enjoyed being a part of it.” Butler said.
As the seniors prepare for their final Cowhide game, they are also reflecting on the memories they have made with their teammates. For Butler, some of those memories came from a team trip to Bass Lake.
Roman Mesa, ’27, looks back on the team’s success over the past two seasons, remembering the wins and the fun practices that brought the team together.
Mesa said his final Cowhide is “a tribute to all the hard work we put in” over his four years playing football.
While the seniors prepare for the rivalry, they are also leaving a lasting impression on the team’s younger players. Mesa encourages them to keep working hard, stay true to themselves, and become leaders for the team.
Ollie Richardson, ’27, said one of his most memorable moments came during his junior year, when the team defeated Golden West after previously losing to them.
Richardson remembers the energy following the win as something he will carry with him after high school.
Now, as he approaches his final Cowhide game, Richardson feels both grateful and disappointed that his time playing for the Rangers is coming to an end.
“It just sucks it’s gonna be my last, but I mean, I’m grateful for every memory I’ve made,” says Richardson.
Richardson also hopes that the younger players will remember to enjoy each game. “It is always about winning; at the end of the day, you always got to have fun too.”
As seniors look beyond Cowhide toward the playoffs, they hope to carry their energy into the postseason. Butler emphasized staying as a team and focusing on each player’s responsibilities, while Richardson stressed the importance of confidence and keeping their heads up.
With their final Cowhide approaching, the seniors have one more opportunity to represent their team and add to their memories before saying their goodbyes.
Kylee Santillan
Kylee Santillan '29 is a first year journalism student who working in sports reporting.
Tags: classof2027, cowhide '26, football, rangers, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, redwood sports, rhs, seniors, visalia ca
