By: Donya Hassanshahi, Keira Bixler, and Bella Aldridge
Redwood and Mt. Whitney High School Communities have upheld the Cowhide tradition for sixty-seven years. As this year’s Cowhide concludes, the timeline and Visalia resident reflects monumental moments and past games.
The following is a timeline of all the past games and scores between the rival schools.
Visalia Resident Stan Simpson was the Quarterback for the Redwood Football team during the third Cowhide.
When looking at the atmosphere surrounding the two schools, Simpson says, “The spirit between the two schools in their first ever game was great because we all grew up together, so there was never anything but a whole lot of fun.”
As Cowhide continues to be known as the biggest game in Visalia football, Simpson says it wasn’t until 1959 when “Redwood got its first victory…that’s probably when the true rivalry started.”
When reflecting on the ‘most critical’ cowhide game, Simpson says, “In 1973 when Redwood won its first Valley Championship it was very significant to Redwood as it established itself as a sports power and has continued to do so today.”
“Redwood and Whitney are only three blocks apart. We are always close so there is a natural and honest rivalry between the two. It never went sour. Kids were kids. A lot of boyfriends and girlfriends between the two schools just as it is today. It was fantastic and a big part of the growth of Visalia.”
Stan Simpson
1954 – Visalia Union High School splits into Redwood & Mt. Whitney. The new high school inherited the old mascot, old school colors and all of the upperclassmen.
1955 – Redwood has their first varsity football team and thus the very first Cowhide; the Redwood football team had no seniors. Redwood lost 34-0.
1955 – 2 Visalia Times Delta Employees presented the first cowhide trophy as a way to encourage the community rivalry.
1956 – Mt. Whitney 47-19
1957 – Mt. Whitney 32-6
1958 – First Redwood win 13-0
1959 – Redwood 19-12
1960 – Cowhide ended in a tie at 0-0. The Cowhide stays at Redwood.
1961 – Redwood 34-6
1962 – Mt. Whitney 20-0
1963 – Redwood 6-0
1964 – Mt. Whitney 33-6
1965 – Mt. Whitney 19-0
1966 – Mt. Whitney 27-14
1967 – Mt. Whitney 21-19
1968 – Mt. Whitney 18-12
1969 – Redwood 21-0
1970 – Mt. Whitney 26-8
1971 – Redwood 20-9
1972 – Mt. Whitney 53-20
1973 – Redwood 34-0
1974 – Mt. Whitney 16-14
1975 – Mt. Whitney 30-20
1976 – Mt. Whitney 14-13
1977 – Mt. Whitney 38-0
1978 – Mt. Whitney 18-14
1979 – Redwood 25-7
1980 – Redwood 6-0
1981 – Mt. Whitney 35-21
1982 – Mt. Whitney 28-14
1983 – Redwood 41-34
1984 – Redwood 20-14
1985 – Mt. Whitney 52-20
1986 – Redwood 24-7
1987 – Redwood 24-3
1988 – Mt. Whitney 13-9
1989 – Mt. Whitney 29-23
1990 – Redwood 17-13
1991 – Redwood 35-0
1992 – Redwood 47-9
1993 – Redwood 50-11
1994 – Redwood 48-14
1995 – Redwood 30-0
1996 – Redwood 48-0
1997 – Redwood 14-10
1998 – Redwood 28-7
1999 – Redwood 19-14
2000 – Mt. Whitney 14-13
2001 – Redwood 27-10
2002 – Redwood 27-6
2003 – Redwood 42-9
2004 – Redwood 41-12
2005 – Redwood 34-14
2006 – Mt. Whitney 62-20
2007 – Redwood 35-32
2008 – Redwood 35-21
2009 – Redwood 47-6
2010 – Redwood 42-17
2011 – Mt. Whitney 17-7
2012 – Mt. Whitney 44-17
2013 – Redwood 35-13
2014 – Redwood 41-14
2015 – Redwood 45-14
2016 – Redwood 31-13
2017 – Mt. Whitney 57-56
2018 – Mt. Whitney 32-29
2019 – Redwood 49-19
2020 – Covid
2021 – Mt. Whitney 13-7
2022- Redwood 28-0
Donya Hassanshahi
Donya Hassanshahi, '24 is a third year journalism student writing for the Redwood Gigantea. She seeks interest in the Humans of Redwood, hoping to inspire the Redwood community with her writing. You can reach her by her email at donya.hassanshahi@gmail.com.
Tags: cowhide, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, rhs, sports, visalia ca
It is hard to believe the 69th Annual Cowhide is Upon Us. Minus the Covid year of course… I am Steven Luna a 1992 Graduate and the idea & designer of the Cowhide Champs Patch… that in itself has been 31 years since the patch was introduced. From the 1990 to the 1999 Season the Rangers took back control and the over all wins. 10 years straight, what an awesome accomplishment and what timing to implement the Cowhide Champs Patch.
Go Rangers!!! Go Big Blue!!!
Go 2023!!!