Rivalry week continues tradition

The communities of Shafter and Wasco celebrate at their respective schools and neighborhoods something which is known Wasco Week, or Shafter Week, if you happen to be a Tiger.

The week leading up to the football game was filled with different activities at the respective schools, each with their own unique theme.

At Shafter High, there were Dress Up Days every day of the week, concluding with Friday's blue and gold theme, where students wear their best blue and gold attire.

The community of Shafter also brought back a beloved tradition, a great addition that was sorely missed in recent years. Of course, this means the Bonfire. Held on Beech Avenue this year, a huge fire was lit, with the Shafter High Band playing, hundreds of people gathered singing the alma mater, the Shafter Fight Song, and getting to shake hands and cheer for this year's Shafter Generals football team.

All of these events led up to Friday, which saw the Shafter ASB, cheerleaders and football players play host to the Wasco High contingent. They ate breakfast, then headed off to the Exchange Rally held in the Shafter Gymnasium. The event was full of chants and cheers from both sides, and also included performances by both schools' cheerleading squads.

One of the things about the rally that is looked to most is the video that each school presents at their respective rallies. This year, the Shafter squad did a take on the movie Scream, and it was hilarious.

At the end of the rally, the coaches for both teams introduced their players, and then it was off to Wasco, for the rally at the Wasco High Auditorium. The place was deafening as the Tigers entered the building. At this rally, there also were performances by the cheer squads and introduction of the players.

All this fun and spirit filled week culminated with the game on Friday night. This Friday night, it was all Shafter, as they beat the Tigers, 49-6. The Generals will have bragging rights for the next year. As long-time General Gary Kern said, "There is nothing like this rivalry, and no matter what your year was like, a lot of times it was just beating Wasco that would make it a good one."