High School Football

Wouldn’t it be nice if rivals got along? Two high school teams show how it’s done

As pointed out by a local sports writer, Sanger High graduate Jordan Campos (left) and Jack Welsh of Reedley (right) have fun together despite it being rivalry night between the Apaches and Pirates. Friday marked the 104th annual meeting.
As pointed out by a local sports writer, Sanger High graduate Jordan Campos (left) and Jack Welsh of Reedley (right) have fun together despite it being rivalry night between the Apaches and Pirates. Friday marked the 104th annual meeting. Twitter screen shot

Who says there has to be bad blood in a long-running rivalry?

Sanger High graduate Jordan Campos and Jack Welsh of Reedley certainly didn’t abide by that rule Friday entering the 104th annual football game between the Apaches and Pirates.

Campos and Welsh – despite representing opposite sides of the rivalry – were all smiles while posing for a photo just beyond Reedley’s football field before kickoff. It was posted on Twitter by Reedley Exponent Sports Editor Chris Aguirre.

It was a nice reminder that, yes, Rodney King, sometimes, we can all get along.

Even when school boundaries border each other, and the campuses are separated by 13.5 miles and a 22-minute drive.

Sanger, ranked fifth in The Bee’s Top 10 coaches’ poll, entered the night 4-0 and having won nine straight in the series and up 68-33-2 overall.

Friday marked the 104th annual meeting between Sanger and Reedley, which was the host team Friday. The Apaches entered the night winners of nine straight in the series and led overall at 68-33-2.
Friday marked the 104th annual meeting between Sanger and Reedley, which was the host team Friday. The Apaches entered the night winners of nine straight in the series and led overall at 68-33-2. Twitter screen shot

And that dominance would continue as the Apaches routed the Pirates 51-7.

Bryant-Jon Anteola: 559-441-6362, @Banteola_TheBee

This story was originally published September 29, 2017 at 8:12 PM with the headline "Wouldn’t it be nice if rivals got along? Two high school teams show how it’s done."

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