Rivalry breeds camaraderie
By Scott Ford
Argus Observer
Sunday, September 14, 2008 12:24 AM PDT
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| Scott Ford | Argus Observer
The Vale Viking offense lines up against the Tiger defense Friday in a classic Malheur County rivalry, which Ontario won 20-0. Friday’s game marked the 60th meeting of the two teams with Vale holding a 33-22-5 mark over the Tigers. Vale quarterback Kyle Barras was picked off three times in the loss. |
Ontario—Every school and every team has that one game known as the rivalry game, and for Ontario and Vale, that game takes place on the gridiron once a year. The Vale/Ontario rivalry has been a healthy one for the past 65-years, and as of Friday night, it looks to continue to remain that way.
Some rivals are fierce and nasty, and some are simply about bragging rights and pride. However, every now and then, there is that rival game that brings camaraderie to both communities involved.
The Ontario/Vale rivalry is just that.
In a situation where two communities are so close together, where the residents work together, visit together and attend church together, a game like this just brings these two communities together under a common theme — a football game.
Friday during the battle between the Vikings and the Tigers, the fans came out in full force.
Both the home and visiting bleachers were full, and fans were lining the track to watch their teams play. Some fans even resorted to parking along the side streets of Tiger stadium, and took a perch on top of their vehicle to watch the game. Whatever their resort, they were all on hand with one common goal, to watch and root for their team.
As the night wore on, many of the opposing fans would rub elbows with each other, whether it be in the concession line or on the concourse and friendly talk would emerge.
Ontario resident Randy Jones said he loves coming to the game between Vale and Ontario.
“It’s a huge game. The rivalry is there, but this game brings a lot of people who know each other together,” Jones said. “Many of these folks are old friends, and sometimes this is the only time they get to see each other, is during a game like this.”
Jones said this game renews friendships and sparks new relations, but in the end he still roots for the Tigers.
Vale graduate Tyler Williams said the Ontario/Vale game is a great rival game, and he remembers them well as a former Viking quarterback back in 1998 through 2001.
“It is good for the community and for the schools,” Williams said.
Williams was quick to add, however, “We never lost to the Tigers when I was playing.”
Kyle Barras, the Vale starting quarterback tasted his first bite of the storied rival game Friday night.
“I was nervous for the first two quarters, I couldn’t keep anything down,” Barras said. “It was nerve racking, but I settled in.”
Vale head coach Jeff Jacobs said he was glad to see the support of both schools at the game.
Ontario resident and Tiger fan Mike Maeda said the atmosphere was huge.
“There was a lot of high expectations on both sides tonight,” Maeda said. “The Ontario team speed was the difference in the game, that was evident.”
Maeda said this rivalry is huge with a lot of tradition, and as of late it has been a healthy rivalry game.
“The guys on television talk about the Nampa/Caldwell rival being big, this one is way bigger than that,” Maeda said.
Ontario head coach Trever Wilson said he as pleased with the turnout at the game.
“It was a great, great crowd,” Wilson said. “The coaches and players all get along, its a big deal to both communities and it not like either school is out to hurt the other. It is a fun game to play in.”
At the end of the night, the fans from both sides of the field mingled on and off the field, talking about the game.
The night ended just as it should, one team winning, one losing, but no one crying about it in the end.
The Ontario/Vale rivalry, it is healthy, and competitive.
