By: Mikayla Williamson
October 29, 2021 was the Redwood versus Mt. Whitney annual Cowhide game. Cowhide was an experience all Rangers will remember. Redwood has won 24 consecutive Cowhides from the 1990s to 2016. But this year took a turn for the worst. Here are what some Rangers have to say about the loss.
Ayla Morgan, ‘25 is a junior varsity cheerleader for Redwood. But on Cowhide, all JV and varsity cheered together for the special occasion.
Photo courtesy of
writer, Williamson
Morgan expresses her disappointment for the way the game turned out, “I just had my hopes up really high because you know, it’s Cowhide and everyone got pretty cocky talking our school up.”
Despite this, she had a great time cheering with varsity. She says, “It was really humbling to be cheering with the varsity girls because they are amazing and it just made me want to have fun and give it my all out there.”
Joey Rico, ‘23 went to the game with some of his friends. He was decked-out with Ranger pride. Rico painted his stomach blue and wore a cowboy hat.
Rico says, “when we lost, I didn’t know what to think. It didn’t feel good for me as a fan to see the other side so happy and cheering while everyone on our side was just standing there not knowing what to do.”
“I feel like things didn’t go our way like it did for Whitney.” Rico states.
He then goes on to say, “Our defense played well, but it was just a couple of broken plays that allowed them to score their two touchdowns.”
Ellie Gilbert, ‘24 had “an amazing time at Cowhide.” She went with a group of friends and says, “Cowhide was a different experience compared to the other games because it’s bigger, so it was much more hyped and exciting.”
Gilbert goes on to say, “I think because of that, it made me more happy to be there with my friends.”
“When we lost I was in straight disbelief because I wasn’t expecting it at all,” Gilbert adds.
Gilbert vocalizes her disappointment of the loss, “it feels really disappointing and sort of degrading knowing we didn’t keep that streak of wins this year.”
Redwood varsity football player Ashton Ibarra, ‘22 played in the Cowhide game. He says, “I felt sad when we lost. I felt dead inside when I realized we lost.”
“I feel like we could’ve done a lot better, and it started going downhill at practice on Monday,” Ibarra says. “But in the end, I think we all had fun.”
Libby Thompson, ‘25 went to Cowhide as a spectator. Thompson says, “I was excited because I really enjoy going to football games and this was Cowhide, so it was even more exciting.”
“I was really disappointed because everybody was so sure we were going to win and then we didn’t. It was kind of embarrassing,” Thompson stated.
Mikayla Williamson
Mikayla Williamson '25 is a second year member of the Redwood Gigantea. She is a new photographer learning the ropes of photography but also writes for the sports column. Mikayla is on the Redwood track team. You can reach her by email at: mikay.wi4026@vusd.us
Tags: opinion, rangers, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, studentlife
