Battle of Barstow rivalry not over yet

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- There has been talk on whether Hoover and Bullard High Schools will continue to have the Battle of Barstow, with some rumors that this could be the very last year of the rivalry.

But over the years the battle has become less of a rivalry-with Bullard usually blowing Hoover out.

Hoover High School's Athletic Director Tim Carey says while these teams are on different playing fields, a final decision on the fate of the Battle of Barstow has not yet been made.

The bottom line, he says, is they're still evaluating the matchup. But on Friday night, students on both sides of the field were showing their school pride

"(It) feels great you know first game of the season," said Bullard Senior Parker Hutcheson. "You know the team is bringing their A-game but we're bringing our A-game too."

"We've been setting up for it and preparing it and getting a lot of stuff just to make it big and fun," said Hoover High junior Helina Ashenafi.

"It's a big thing for the kids," said Bullard High School Athletic Director Brandon Gilbert. "This morning we had Barstow from Blackstone to Bullard was decorated in blue and from First to Blackstone was decorated in green and so the kids really love it and it's a great rivalry."

Gilbert says the Central Valley is a hotbed for high school football, and it's competitive, adding that there hasn't been a repeat division one valley champ in at least 20 years.

Bullard won Friday night's game 55-6.