On Friday September 22, the Amador Dons lost to the Foothill Falcons 7-12, where the crowd was full of students and parents decked out in their spirit wear to support their teams and watch the schools face head-to-head on the field.
With the annual game, expectations and pressure from both schools weigh on the players, with both teams playing at their best to raise the stakes for each game.
“I try to tap into the kids this idea of like it’s a battle for control over the city,” said JV Football Coach, Christopher Murphy.
The long lasting traditions between the schools reflect the similarities, where making the rap songs and storming the field are what the students do to represent themselves to the Pleasanton community.
“Honestly, it’s kind of been hard to see the difference [between Amador and Foothill students]. All I see are the students rooting really hard for each side and…I think…COVID was like an awakening for students to realize how valuable it is to represent your school, ” said former Foothill Cheer Coach, Frida Martinez.
The rivalry began after Foothill’s construction and was driven by the proximity between the two schools. Amador’s centennial celebration also overshadowed Foothill’s 50-year anniversary, further fueling the rivalry between the two schools and promoting the idea of dominance over Pleasanton.
“I mean it would be great to beat Foothill and forever, but it’s probably better for the rivalry and the community to have it be more equal as much as I want Amador to win every year forever,” said Murphy.
With each new class, traditions will continue through student’s want for the win and the game will keep its status as a long-lasting rivalry between both schools.
