After defeating Mt. Whitney 28-14 in the 71st Cowhide game, the varsity football team celebrates another victory while preparing for its upcoming match against Bullard.
By: Mariangela Murillo
On Friday night October 30th, 2026 the boys varsity football team played their Cowhide game. They faced Mt. Whitney and even though it was a tough game, once again, the Rangers won Cowhide.
Since the boys varsity football team has held a strong record like other years, they have advanced to the playoffs again. On Friday November 6th, 2026 the Rangers will be facing Bullard.
Nash McElree, ‘27, said, “Now that we moved to playoffs, it’s all just about coming more together as a team. Everyone’s playing as a team, there can’t be any selfishness, no mistakes, no errors.”
have there Cowhide Football game with Redwood taking home the hide!
Number 9, Nash McElree, ’27
Making it to the playoffs is already a big deal within itself, and if they win the first game in playoffs, they can advance more. Working together as a team is critical in football, as the sport is all about teamwork.
Josgar Guerrero, ‘27, said, “Going to the first half we kind of struggled a little bit, but we kicked it up in the 2nd half and it wasn’t hard at all.”
Even though they didn’t start their best as they wanted to, they were able to finish the game stronger. Using strong collaboration they were able to bring their game up.
McElree, said, “It definitely tested our team chemistry a little bit, in the first half we all played for ourselves, but 2nd half, we all came together and it was really good.”
McElree also talked about the first and second half struggles, but with their shared effort, they were able to play a good second half.
Andre Ceballos, ‘27, explains how ever since Cowhide he had been getting the love throughout the day especially returning back to school.
Winning Cowhide can be a big deal so often throughout the day, students and staff recognize the team’s hard work and congratulate the players.
Guerrero said, “Monday does feel different because we won Cowhide, it was the 71st year, and now it’s time for playoffs so it’s a nice Monday.”
Guerrero’s response can reflect the excitement that winning cowhide left with most of the players. With Cowhide now being behind them, they get to experience what it feels like to win and move onto the next level, playoffs.
“There’s like a certain confidence that has been bestowed upon me, I feel like a real leader, a really good teammate. We all came together and we all won.”
Nash McElree, ’27 One of Redwood’s Quarterback
Winning also reflects the amount of effort that they put into the game and throughout the season. Being able to succeed in games brings joy and confidence.
It can also change the point of view of players and in their abilities to play within the team. For a player like McElree, he has been able to recognize what he’s able to do as a player and the impact on the team.
Winning Cowhide isn’t just a win on the teams record, it also marks the progress the players have made individually and collectively throughout the season.
Ceballos said, “It’s hard to refocus on class and homework after a big game because I was just worried about the game and it was just what I was thinking about.”
The anticipation leading up to a major game can take up much of a player’s attention, making it difficult to return to school prepared.
For student athletes, school responsibilities do not end when they’re on the field, and they are expected to maintain their academic performance while committing to their sport.
When asked what Ceballos does to catch up he said, “I asked my teachers for more time and they helped me out in class and with homework too.”
Having teachers who understand that players don’t have as much time as regular students can make a big difference and be a huge help to players staying on track academically throughout the season.
The teams have shown their relentless determination that they’ve had this season, and their upcoming match against Bullard will give them another opportunity to demonstrate the teamwork and determination they have.
Mariangela Murillo
Mariangela Murillo, '30 is a sports writer who is interested in writing about sports and the things they don't usually talk about, like their challenges and goals they had throughout the season.
Tags: cowhide, Cowhide 2026, football, gigantea, rangers, redwood football, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, rhs, sports
