(Featuring guest photographer Miles Bocks)
Every year, Chico High and Pleasant Valley face off in a football game given the name of the “Almond Bowl”, most likely in reference to the almond orchards throughout Northern California that surround the city of Chico. According to the Chico Enterprise-Record, PV and Chico High had their very first football game against each other “in 1968, 2 years after PV opened”, but in 1970, the match between the two schools was made a community event. Every year since, with the exception of 2020 due to the pandemic, the Almond Bowl has been a huge hit with everyone from high school students to everyday Chico civilians. However, the Almond Bowl tradition has its foundations in more than just football. Every year, people from all kinds of extracurriculars help to make the Almond Bowl possible, and every year students bring their school spirit to bring the game to life. This year, the 53rd Almond Bowl was the last one for many seniors in the Class of 2025, and means something special to each and every one of them.
Jack English, a drum major for PV’s marching band, says that to him, the Almond Bowl is a “way that the schools can show the best of their programs, like football [going] all out, and StuGo [spending] almost the whole month preparing”. As for the band, it’s their “chance to show off what [they’ve] been working on since summer”. He says that the band contributes to the atmosphere of the game, always “trying to be as energetic as possible and just have fun”. When asked what his favorite Almond Bowl tradition was, he says that he really loves the Battle of the Bands, since he “[has] friends who play at Chico, so it’s fun to get the chance to play with them”.
According to senior and cheerleader Sybil Howell, to her the Almond Bowl means “celebrating what it means to be a Viking Family and really celebrating our school spirit”, and that cheer “brings spirit and a good attitude” each year. Her favorite thing about cheer is when they call a cheer, and the whole student section cheers with them, making it feel like “everyone’s a cheerleader”. When it comes to yearly traditions, she loves the car raffle, because “every time she’s praying she gets that voting ticket”.
Miles Bocks, a senior who attended the 53rd Almond Bowl, responded that the Almond Bowl to him means “community, fun, celebrating”. When asked what his favorite part of the Almond Bowl games in the years past was, he answered that he loved the “getting ready and being around people”, and after being interrupted by a horn signaling another win for PV, continued explaining that he loves the “friendly competition with the other side” knowing he has friends with people on the other side. As for the yearly tradition, Miles and Jack share the same one: the Battle of the Bands.
Ending in a win for the PV varsity team by 21-7, the 53rd Almond Bowl was an exciting watch to kick off the senior year for the class of 2025, and a game to remember for all.
