The biggest rivalry in San Diego County, which pits the Cathedral Catholic High School Dons and the Saint Augustine High School Saints, resumes tonight at San Diego Mesa College when the annual Holy Bowl kicks off in front of fans from all around the county.

“The rivalry with Saints has always been a big deal,” CCHS varsity football Head Coach Mr. Sean Doyle said. “The tradition goes back 54 years or so, and the boys are really looking forward to playing Saints again this year.

“This time of year is always the most exciting for the athletes and the coaches.”

The Dons football team is preparing eagerly for its battle with the Saints by working hard at practice, where they are doing everything they can to ensure a win.

However, according to the head football coach at SAHS, the Saints football players are determined to take the win and uphold their title as Holy Bowl victor from last year.

“We’re working hard to defend the win from last year, but it is going to be very difficult,” SAHS Head Coach Mr. Richard Sanchez said. “Cathedral’s a powerhouse and always will be. They have everything in regards to a football team to make it a good game, but hopefully we can fight to the fourth quarter and pull out a victory.”

Despite the opposition between the two schools, both coaches agreed that one of the best aspects of the rivalry is the way it brings the school communities together, uniting the students and faculty under one common goal.

Both teams are working hard, amping up the intensity of their practices and maintaining a good mindset in order to play to the best of their abilities.

“We as a team look forward to showing what we are capable of,” CCHS offensive lineman Andrew Gallup ’17 said. “We want to show not only our community, but all of San Diego how good of a team we are.”

As the boys prepare for the game on the field, the CCHS student section Los Locos is doing its best to support the football team in the stands. The leaders of Los Locos spread the excitement about the big game to the rest of the student body throughout this week by selling t-shirts at lunch and planning extra festivities for game night.

“I just love seeing everyone come together and have a great time at the games, especially the game against Saints because they’re such a big rivalry,” Los Locos leader Matthew Goyette ’17 said,

The excitement of the Holy Bowl game spreads like a wildfire as students from all grades anticipate the long awaited game against Saints.

According to Mr. Doyle, the Holy Bowl game attracts almost more people than the Homecoming game, and it brings parents and alumni out to the annual clash between the rivals.

The CCHS football team is awaiting kickoff, but it plans to channel its nervous energy into excitement about playing its rivals for the first time this year and storm the field with confidence.

“They’re nervous, but they’re also excited,” Mr. Doyle said. “They’re excited to go out and show how all of their hard work has paid off.”

The feelings on the flip side are similar because Saints boys are ready to take on the Dons and play against their rival team with passion and vigor.

Though the opposition remains intense, Goyette said that both schools should remember their intention to live and love under the same God.

“I think we’re all just excited to kneel at the fifty yard line and play together,” Mr. Sanchez said. “Hopefully, we’ll all have a good game.”