Battle for Mayor’s Cup featuring Merced, Golden Valley highlights rivalry week
A lot has changed since the last time the Golden Valley High football team defeated its crosstown rivals Merced.
Golden Valley coach Rick Martinez was the head coach of Le Grand back in 2005. He hadn’t even started a run of four consecutive Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV championships that the Bulldogs went on from 2010-14.
“In 2005 I was back at Le Grand about to start a run,” Martinez said. “We had just lost to Central Catholic in the championship the year before.”
Golden Valley principal Kevin Swartwood was still the Cougars athletic director back in 2005. He hadn’t started his successful eight-year run as the Buhach Colony head football coach from 2006-14.
Most of the Cougars players were barely walking the last time Golden Valley defeated Merced 38-35 in triple overtime in 2005.
The Cougars (4-4, 3-1 Central California Conference) have a chance to snap the streak of 15 consecutive losses to the Bears (6-3, 4-1 CCC) on Friday night in the Battle for the Mayor’s Cup.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. at Veterans Stadium.
The Battle for the Mayor’s Cup is one of many rivalry games as we close out the regular season this week.
Martinez says GV players are well aware of the streak.
“It’s been so long since we’ve won,” Martinez said. “They understand it. It’s something we’ve pushed, how long it’s been. We’re doing the right things. To be the best team you have to beat the best and Merced has been the best for a while in the CCC.”
Here’s a quick look at the rest of the rivalry games on tap for Friday night.
Bloss Bowl XVI
Who: Atwater (2-7, 2-3 CCC) at Buhach Colony (2-6 , 2-2 CCC)
It’s been a tough season for both teams so a win would be a nice way to head into the offseason. Buhach Colony has won five straight games in the rivalry and owns an all-time series lead of 11-4.
With the visiting bleachers still under construction at Dave Honey Stadium, the rivalry shifts to Merced College’s Stadium ‘76 this season.
Crosstown Clash
Who: Pacheco at Los Banos
The Tigers (5-4 overall, 5-1 Western Athletic Conference) have likely played themselves into a playoff spot after winning four games in a row.
Los Banos running back Adrian Ramirez turned in a big-time performance in last week’s win over Lathrop with 255 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Pacheco always seems to find a way to play the Tigers tough. Los Banos has a slight 6-4 edge in the all-time series.
Battle for the Wooden Chief
Who: Gustine at Orestimba
This will be the 75th meeting between the two schools and the all-time series couldn’t be closer with the series locked at 36-36-2 heading into Friday’s matchup.
The winner of the matchup takes home the Wooden Chief statue, a 5-foot tall wooden sculpture.
The cities of Gustine and Newman are separated by just 4 miles, which makes this rivalry so special.
Gustine (3-5, 3-3 Southern League) has played well the last weeks after a coaching change was made and former Reds coach Ronnie LaBry took the reins again after Paul Nocito was fired.
Green and Gold Bowl
Le Grand at Mariposa
Both teams have been up and down this season and both have a good shot at making the playoffs.
The Bulldogs (4-5, 3-3 Southern League) looked like they had the inside track to a top seed in the Division VII playoffs until losing the last two weeks to Gustine and Delhi.
Le Grand has an explosive offense that can strike through the air with quarterback Julian Bucio or on the ground.
The Grizzlies (5-4, 4-2 SL) staged an amazing comeback last week to hand Waterford its first loss of the season. Mariposa is led by third-year quarterback Wyatt Green.
