As football is starting up this school year, everyone is excited to attend football games again; as it brings so much joy and fun.

It’s Friday night lights!

This school year there is a huge difference from the previous seasons’ schedule; the rivalry bell game is missing. 

For the last 15 years, Sierra Vista High School has been Desert Oasis’ rivalry school. 

The much anticipated railroad rivalry game, which is when the two teams play for a large bell trophy, won’t be taking place.

Tristan Pope, one of this year’s Varsity captains has been playing on the football team since freshman year, participating in the annual rivalry games. 

He feels extremely passionate about this game not falling through this year.

 “I am pretty mad about it. You know, like, I wanted to get that bell back as my last year here,” Pope stated. 

As confusion began to spread on why the Bell Game was seemingly missing from the schedule, Coach Smith, Desert Oasis’ head football coach, was quick to give a statement.

 “I’m disappointed not to be able to play the Bell Game, due to the realignment that the NIAA created this year…it created a discrepancy in the scheduling, and so there just wasn’t a way to make the schedule work.” 

Coach Smith isn’t the only one disappointed about not having a bell game.

Senior, Aiden Bass, who attends Southwest Career and Technical Academy, has played football for Desert Oasis the last three years.

“I think that it’s unfair that we don’t have a rivalry game because the Vista vs DO game has historic value…we don’t have a chance to even get the bell back.

 Ms. Wright, the head of student council at D.O, was extremely disheartened about the bell game.

 However, she had another idea in mind. 

“I’m super bummed that we’re not having the railroad rivalry game this year for the first time in 15 years. I hope we bring it back!” Ms. Wright exclaimed, “I’ve challenged Sierra Vista to a capture the flag game for a mini bell instead?… I don’t know if we can get the football teams to do it but I think we could get student body or student council or clubs, so I think it would be fun to try to put together…Honestly I think the idea is there, but for us football players it just wouldn’t be the same I feel.” 

Although there won’t be a bell game, an interesting season in 5A is still promised!