By Jack Peng and Andrea Haro, Web Manager and Staff Writer
Ever since Mills opened in 1958, Capuchino High School has always been seen as a rival. With an 8-1 record entering this game, their first winning record since 2006, it has been a great season for Mills, but they were looking to build onto it further with another win. The game comes a week after the team’s senior night, where the senior players celebrated their last home season game in a victory versus El Camino High School- the team had momentum heading into their critical rivalry match.
According to Dean Christian, the Battle of the Strip used to be very different as compared to how it is now. Both schools, connected by Magnolia Drive, had a significant parade with floats that would travel from one school to another, with many students following behind in their cars. Additionally, the winning school would get to keep the trophy until the next Battle of the Strip. However, once both facilities got renovated and monumental changes were made to both campuses, the festive parade stopped. While the parades ended years ago, both Mills and Capuchino students don’t hold back when it comes to celebrating a Battle of the Strip win.
The rivalry between Mills and Capuchino has fluctuated from hostile to friendly. A couple of years ago, some Capuchino students violated the Mills campus walls during the football game. After that incident, both schools decided to make this game more of a friendly competition, collaborating in events such as cheerleader shows and spirit days. Band student Cazathia Torres (11) explained what Battle of the Strip means to her; “One of the most notable aspects of the Battle of the Strip is the sense of unity it provides for our school by rallying against a common ‘enemy’… I think the memories of players and audience alike made at the time are more important than the outcome of the game itself,” she declared.
This trend of collaboration continued into this year. In the week leading up to this year’s match, Mills and Capuchino cooperated in multiple events- November 7th, for example, was “Yin Yang Day”, where Mills students wore white while Capuchino students wore black to represent two opposing sides in a competitive spirit day. On game day, there was a shoe drive for victims of poverty or disaster, as students and parents donated shoes to the Soles 4 Souls fund. Furthermore, before the game, Mills’ leadership and class councils sold pizza, spam musubi, and hot cocoa in a tailgate collaboration with Capuchino. Ms. Dove, the leadership director, explained why Capuchino and Mills are working together. “Our Leadership program and Capuchino’s have been working on challenging our respective communities to go beyond the historical and traditional rivalry between our two schools… to use this as an opportunity to unite our community is in service of something greater.” It seems that Ms. Dove is set on uniting Mills and Cappuccino beyond just the Battle of the Strip.
Even though Mills lost, the audience cheered them on every minute, coming together in chants such as “This is our house” and “Let’s go Vikings”. Leadership student Kris Yu (12) commented on these chants, explaining that “Even though the team didn’t score, the audience was cheering them on for every yard they moved and every interception.” ASB Vice President Nicholas Bours (11) elaborated saying that, “ It was crazy that even when [Mills] lost, as the overall feeling of the crowd was positive and excited for CCS.” Regardless of the outcome, optimism remains high at Mills, as the team gets ready for CCS and remains focused on the positive.
The outcome of the big game didn’t go as expected for Mills, and for many of the players, this was their last Battle of the Strip game. Still, even though they lost, several expressed their excitement for Central Coast Section championships (CCS). For example, free safety and punt returner Nuku Vahai (12) stated that regardless of losing the Battle of the Strip, which really hurt, there’s a bigger meaning to it to him. “I got to play my last season game with all my brothers, he claimed. “Through all the adversity we fought through the last 3 years it feels good to have a winning record but we cannot be content with where we are at right now.” Vahai is set on the future of the football team and does not want to settle for just a winning record. Cornerback and running back, Gabriel Gonzales (12) was a little more disappointed, claiming this was the most important game of the whole year. “It’s against our rivals who have beaten us in the past couple of years, so we really needed this win,” he added. Offensive and defensive lineman Nick Alvarez (12) shared a similar feeling to Gonzales and Vahai. “It sucks that we lost our last time playing Battle of the Strip, but we still won the league and a chance in the playoffs.” “Battle of the Strip” has changed its identity throughout the years from a hostile rivalry to collaboration in spirit days and events.
Even though they lost, the players are excited to participate. their first CCS game in 11 years. The Thunderbolt wishes the best for the football team in CCS, as they attempt to make it to the state championships!
