The Boys of Fall

"The game of life is a lot like football. You have to tackle your problems, block your fears, and score your points when you get the opportunity." — Lewis Grizzard

I read with interest last week as Patch reported on the between high school rivals, and .

Although I am an Arroyo alumnus, and well aware of the crosstown rivalry between Arroyo and San Lorenzo High, I had never heard of the “Helmet Game,” and was interested in learning more about this tradition.

According to an article written by Michael Roberts, a staff reporter on the Arroyo High school newspaper, the Dry Gulch Gazette, it all started back in 1995 when Dons coach, Wayne Roberts, and Rebels coach, Bill Versino, decided to “establish something that was worth playing for.”

Roberts and Versino had coached together at Marina High School before it closed in 1983. Ironically, each got a job coaching at San Lorenzo’s rival high schools. They came up with the “Helmet Game” as a way to keep the rivalry friendly, and involve the community. 

The winning team of the “Helmet Game” receives the coveted prize, an actual football helmet with the Dons logo emblazoned on one side and the Rebels emblem on the other. Each year, the teams vie for the honor of taking possession of the helmet.

The same weekend that the “Helmet Game” was taking place in San Lorenzo, two rival high schools in Sacramento were also competing for the win.  Unfortunately their game was terminated with five minutes left to play, due to a bad tackle, which led to an all-out, on-field brawl. 

Football has always played an important role in high school sports, but more notably, an important role in shaping the lives of its players.

I only now realize the many things I didn’t see, as I sat in the bleachers and watched high school football back in the 70’s.

I didn’t see the hours of practice and commitment by the players.

I didn’t see the dedication of the coaches.

I didn’t see the proud parents and grandparents cheering at every game, no matter the weather.

I didn’t see the lessons that were being taught, that had nothing to do with football.

Back then, I was a teenage girl — all I saw were cute boys in uniform.

Now, I have grandsons whose lives revolve around the sport. They’re my boys of fall. They look up to professional teams like the Raiders and the 49ers; yet, it’s high school teams like the Dons and the Rebels that really deserve our community support. 

San Lorenzo should be proud of their boys of fall, no matter their team colors.

Perhaps those Sacramento teams should take a lesson in sportsmanship from two dedicated coaches who turned a high school rivalry into a friendly camaraderie.

Their leadership has taught that life is a contact sport: play fair, then go tackle the world.