Records aside, the 91st edition of the East LA Classic was one to remember.
The Garfield Bulldogs defeated the Roosevelt Rough Riders 28-24, extending their run of dominance in the longtime Eastside rivalry with their fifth straight win.
The night began with a callback to last year’s edition. Garfield brought out a Bulldog-themed custom Mexican flag as they ran onto the field.
The coin toss provided a glimpse at what this rivalry means to the community. Beloved former Roosevelt coach Lance A. Holliday returned to the game that he grew up on to do the honors, and he doesn’t take it lightly.
“Being able to come back and contribute to what has built me as a young man,” said Holliday. “You want to keep building for the future, even on the other side.”
All eyes were on Garfield’s star running back Caesar Reyes, and he did not disappoint. A career night was off with a bang, immediately bursting into the red zone with an impressive run. Roosevelt’s defense could only hold for so long, as Reyes eventually barreled into the end zone on fourth and goal for the opening score. The Bulldogs would add a two-point conversion to take an early 8-0 lead.
The Rough Riders wasted little time with a response. Running back Anthony Mack busted out a 75-yard touchdown run of his own, and followed that by running in the two-point conversion to tie things back up at eight.
In the stands, fans cheered on the players and spirit teams taking the field.
Elisa Fonseca and her mother came to the game wearing matching custom T-shirts that read, “I heart Mariah,” Fonseca’s younger sister and a varsity cheerleader for Garfield High School.
Fonseca, a Garfield alum, comes from a long line of Bulldogs.
“Garfield’s been a part of my family. All of my uncles, my mom went to Garfield. My dad went to Garfield. So it’s been part of my life for a long time,” she said.
Arely Valencia also came to support her sibling. She brought posters and cutouts of her brother Francisco Valencia Jr., who plays on Roosevelt’s varsity football team.
“I love the Classic season and I had to support my little brother. He’s the only boy, so it’s fun seeing one of us out on the football field,” she said.
For one fan, the Classic carried a more personal meaning this year.
“My wife used to be a drill team leader here, and she passed away this past April,” said Tony Alvarado, fighting back tears. “It’s one of the reasons why I’m here, too.”
The Roosevelt class of 1972 alum met his late wife Joella Vega at Roosevelt before reconnecting with her on Facebook 42 years later. They were married for 12 years.
“She was fantastic… she was Roosevelt all the way,” Alvarado said. “[She] got me going to the games.”
For Manuel Ayala Jr., 35, it was important to show his family what the game was all about. The Garfield alum played varsity football for three years and still remembers what it was like on the field.
“I want to show my family how the game is going, like, when I was a kid when I used to play out there,” said Ayala, who came with his wife and two young sons.
Ayala wore a letterman jacket and proudly showed his 2007 championship ring. When asked whether his children would carry on the Garfield legacy someday, Ayala Jr. chuckled.
“I don’t know. Maybe if we live here still, but not sure yet.”
Fans were treated to a halftime show that included folklorico dancers, a mariachi band and Danza Azteca on Garfield’s side. Roosevelt High’s drill team brought back the traditional white cowboy hats and boots from its Riderette days, along with a Michael Jackson routine. The performance also brought the two rivals together on the field, as both cheer squads celebrated each other’s routines and baton twirlers.
After an electric first half, Roosevelt came out of the break sloppy, and Reyes immediately made them pay after an undisciplined opening drive.
The star running back took the Bulldogs’ first offensive snap 54 yards for a touchdown to take back the lead and completely took over from there, racking up two more scores in as many drives to make it four on the day.
Despite making it interesting with two late touchdowns and a fumble recovery, the deficit proved too much for the Rough Riders. Tempers flared after one last failed onside kick, and the officials elected to run the clock out.
That decision did not go over well with the Roosevelt contingent, who decided to forgo the postgame handshake and headed straight for showers.
Before the main event, the Bulldogs dominated the junior varsity level of the rivalry by the score of 40-20. The game would be called early due to time constraints after sophomore Christopher Ponce was carted off due to a fractured ankle.
Garfield kept it rolling in varsity flag football with a statement 26-0 victory to cap off an undefeated regular season. The Lady Rough Riders couldn’t seem to find an answer for Garfield wide receiver Jema Aguilar, whose two touchdowns took center stage in the Bulldogs’ shutout victory.
Roosevelt quarterback Arely Alcantar had to leave the game at the end of the third quarter with a sprained elbow, a crushing way to go out for the senior in her last game.
For Karina Villalvazo, 45, the Classic is about more than the game. It’s about showing up for her students and the school community she’s called home for 21 years.
“[Roosevelt] has a special place in my heart,” Villalvazo said. “I consider it my home away from home.”
Although Roosevelt hasn’t won in recent years, she said, fans like her always hold out hope because it’s about community.
“The Classic brings the community together — the East and Boyle Heights … at the end we’re one community and we support each other,” she said.