Egg-cellent Tradition Returns

After several years on hiatus, the infamous Egg Bowl has returned. The Gauchos of Casa Grande and the Trojans of Petaluma High School have a rivalry for a year-long title and bragging rights. The Egg Bowl was originally called off in 2011 after tensions between Casa Grande and Petaluma High School escalated to an unhealthy level. After several incidents, nineteen penalties, and an excess of unsportsmanlike language instigated by players and adults alike, district administrators decided a cool-down period was necessary. Now after six years, it has returned, hopefully with much less animosity this time around. Though many teachers and former students are familiar with the Egg Bowl, the current student population is considerably less informed. Co-Athletic Director Jake Lee reflects on his own experiences with the famous football game.

    “The Egg Bowl is a cross-town rivalry football game between Petaluma and Casa. It has athletes competing against friends from across town that they may have played with when they were younger and it really creates a buzz around town. When I was in high school, whoever won the Egg Bowl had bragging rights for the year. The last time I was at an Egg Bowl was in 2007 when I was a student at Casa and it still sticks out in my mind,” said Lee.

   Teachers are not the only people excited for the return of the rivalry game; the football team is also waiting in eager anticipation to play their cross-town counterparts.

Senior varsity football player Kenneth Fitzgerald shares his optimistic view of the Gauchos’ ability to out-play the Trojans.

“I really think we have the team [capable] to beat them, and we’re just excited to play against people we grew up with and played Panthers against. They’ve been talking a lot of smack, we’ve been talking a lot of smack. It’s going to be fun to finally just set it off and see who is better,” said Fitzgerald.   

  With good intentions and familiar faces between the two football teams, the schools are hoping to avoid any hard feelings, regardless of the game’s outcome. Senior football player Isaiah Cappelen elaborates on the value of the Egg Bowl in addition to it being an entertaining and high-stakes event.

   “I think it’ll be a good way to bring the community together. It’ll raise a lot of awareness to the good side of the game of football, not just what has transpired between us in the past” said Cappelen.

  Lee shares his hopes that this year and future Egg Bowls will not incite the same bitterness between the two schools.

   “I think that this reincarnation of the Egg Bowl will be different because we are adding a focus on community and putting the town of Petaluma first, followed directly behind the game. There’s a built-in rivalry because of being in the same town. I think both coaching staffs are focused on making it a competitive game focused on sportsmanship and representing both schools positively,” said Lee.

This year’s Egg Bowl is hoped to kindle a healthier spirit of competition and stand as an event that will bring the town together instead of dividing it. Former Athletic Director and this year’s Leadership teacher Rick O’Brien explains the significance of this year’s Egg Bowl.

   “This year’s Egg Bowl is important to the community because it brings us together to celebrate the city of Petaluma and both of its amazing high schools,” said O’Brien.

   The returning of the Egg Bowl gives both sides of Petaluma a chance to bond rather than fight over the football rivalry. While a competitive spirit should be expected, the game should be based on entertainment and good-natured school spirit. This game could be a much-needed renewal to school pride, as long as it does not get out of hand.