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The 91st East LA Classic kicks off this Friday at East Los Angeles Community College’s Weingart Stadium.
The rivalry football game between the Roosevelt Rough Riders and the Garfield Bulldogs is an opportunity for both schools to keep a decades-long tradition alive and celebrate Eastside pride.
While the spotlight is often on game day, the Classic kicks off way before the players take the field. Coaches, players, cheerleaders, drill team members, and band members prepare weeks in advance, hoping to make their own unique mark on the game.
Boyle Heights Beat student journalists talked to leaders of both schools and asked what the Classic means to them, what they are excited about and what their favorite memories are from the season’s biggest game.
Varsity Football
“I’m looking forward to seeing the community come out and just all rally together as we see all these kids face like a big challenge”
Daniel Nolasco, Roosevelt High School senior and varsity football captain
“I’m looking forward to putting on for the community and making sure everyone enjoys it. It’s my last one so I’m trying to make sure I enjoy it myself”
Ceasar Reyes, Garfield High School senior and varsity football captain
Junior Varsity Football
“I’m excited to see the challenge that we’ve got to face, like having a bad season so far, so I want to see how we do. I hope we end up good, and do good in the Classic”
Jordan Cabrera, Roosevelt High School sophomore and junior varsity captain
“I’m looking forward to playing the Classic because those roosie bears [RHS students] be talking a lot. Gotta see what they up to. ”
Anthony Gonzalez, Garfield High School sophomore and junior varsity captain
Cheer
“I’m looking forward to performing with all my teammates and seeing alumni.”
Mia Rosales, Roosevelt High School senior and head cheer captain
“My favorite memory is when we were at SoFi Stadium and we got to perform in the big stadium alongside Garfield on the field and it was really good and we performed with the Black Eyed Peas too.”
Denali Iniguez, Garfield High School senior and head cheer captain
“I’m looking forward to the loud crowd and showing off our performances.”
Mya Valenzuela, Garfield senior and cheer captain
Drill
“I am most looking forward to showcase our performances, this year we have three and I’m so very lucky to be able to choreograph for one of them and I’m really excited to show people what I’ve got.”
Rebecca Cuevas, Roosevelt High School senior and drill captain
“For this Classic, I’m looking forward to the halftime routine and also I’m looking forward to any other activities during half time”
Maria Avalos, Garfield High School senior and drill captain
Drum Majors
“Honestly just having the community together in general, like playing music. We’re playing against [Garfield] but we’re still a community. We’re just a community, we gotta show love to them, as well.”
Claudinho Carmona, Roosevelt High School senior and drum major
“I’m looking forward to see all the rivalries going on, and to catching this toss I will do and meeting the other band”
Vincent Alcala, Garfield High School senior and drum major
“I’m looking forward to having fun. I’m really really excited and I’m ready for the crowd, It’s a good experience.”
Valentin Gomez, Garfield High School junior and drum major
Color Guard
“I’m looking forward to our performance. I’m really excited that we have a brand new team. We have a lot of new members and our team is double the size it was last year. We now have much more resources and support than we had last year.””
Melissa Ramirez, Roosevelt High School junior and color guard captain
“I’m looking forward to seeing the community together and having the energy and I think it gonna be really fun for everyone to come together”
Cynthia Mora, Garfield High School senior and color guard co-captain
“I’m looking forward to all the memories I can make as my last year, as I am a senior.”
Guadalupe Rojas, Garfield High School senior and color guard co-captain
Flag Football
“My favorite part about the East LA Classic isn’t like the game or anything; I think it’s just being there with my friends and my teammates- just us coming together and having respect not just within each other but for the other team as well.”
Arely Robles, Roosevelt High School senior and captain
“Honestly, I’m looking forward to playing one last time with my girls. You know, it’s a lot of emotions, especially because I’m a senior, one last year. I’m just excited to build a lot of more memories, especially coming into playoffs. I’m just really excited, honestly, it’s a lot.”
Hailey Navarro, Garfield High School senior and captain
