Pitman High School has been the beneficiary for the majority of Harvest Bowl events. Not just the football game, but in the stands as well. It’s the hidden battle between the “Dog Pound” and the “Pitcrew”. For any student in the city of Turlock, it’s a tradition that you burst out of your shell and stand beside fellow classmates, cheering on your high school and trying to overthrow the other side with an impressive amount of noise. According to Pitman Head coach Tom Tyler, “The Pitcrew was lively, a good buzz to the game. It reminded me of a college game.” Players are often seen facing the Pitcrew waving their arms as if to pump up the crowd. During the Harvest Bowl, it’s unnecessary. Any former student who has been a part of the Pitcrew will tell you that it’s an honor and one of the best memories that you can take away from high school. “It’s amazing to feel so close to the game without being on the field, we know we make a difference and play a part. I wish I could have one last game to just scream and go crazy with all my friends; it’s an excuse to be yourself. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of the pride?” said former Pitcrew member and Pitman graduate Stephanie Berber.
The energy the Pitcrew exuded was a valuable resource for our treasured football team, and we needed every resource available to take down the home Turlock Bulldogs. “They have a good running game, and Turlock’s Sean Downs is a solid quarterback. We had to find a way to contain him and shut down their running game.” said Coach John Derr. Coach Derr and the rest of the staff did a great job sticking with the same practice routine and film study. “We treated this game like any other, it’s just another game.” stated Coach Derr. “There is a lot of hoopla surrounding the game but it’s important to just step back and do what we’ve been doing, why fix what isn’t broken?” Coach Tyler proclaimed.
The Pride went into the game with fortitude. Being the away team in this year’s harvest bowl didn’t change anything but the side of the field you sit on. Once you’re on the field it’s all the same. Pitman started off on top, scoring the first touchdown of the game on a 1 yard touchdown run by junior Josh Vercelli. After that Turlock slowly moved the ball but was unable to capitalize on any opportunities that the pride gave them. However, just before the half, TurlockHigh School had a 5 yard touchdown ran by quarterback Sean Downs. Due to two major injuries to the long snappers of Turlock High, The Bulldogs were unable to kick extra points and forced to go for two. Turlock’s, Bubba Moreno was stopped short by senior Marcus Vasquez, making the score going into halftime 7-6 with the Pride on top.
At halftime the Pitman Pride cheerleaders displayed their hard work with a flawless performance. They stuck to the unofficial motto of PitmanHigh School and “kept it classy”. The cheer squad showed off there aerial stunts and their creativity with a worm like stunt. When a handful of girls were held up and then moved up and down as if they were a wave breaking. After the pride cheerleaders finished their fast paced and high energy routine, they sat down on the sideline to observe the THS dance. Both cheer squads did well and ended their dances with ironic kisses being blown to each other. With an already pumped up Pitcrew, senior Janae Marable planned out a surprise for everyone in attendance. As soon as the third quarter started, everyone in the Pitcrew threw up confetti, making a cloud of colorful, flashing papers reflecting off the lights above the field. The students, players, faculty and fans loved it. It was obvious that the Pitcrew was here to not just cheer on their team, but to make memories and have fun.
At the start of the 2nd half Pitman quickly gained control of the game by senior Drew Lewis rushing 63 yards and putting the Pride into the red zone, (20 yards from end zone). Senior Chance Hagar capped off the great opening drive with a touchdown run up the middle. But this was short lived because Turlock responded with a touchdown run by Jevan Hogan, their senior and star running back. After an absent drive by the Pride, they were forced to punt. But a bad snap led to the punter making an amazing recovery and getting a last second kick off and pinning the Bulldogs into their own territory.
Late in the fourth quarter, it seemed as if the Pride were pulling away. But it was still very much a ball game. With a score of 20-18 there wasn’t much breathing room. But just as the Bulldogs had high hopes of regaining the lead while the Pride were pinned back at the 11 yard line, senior running back Logan Wolfley ran down the Pitman side of the field speeding passed 3 defenders and pulling away. With one man to beat, he turned on the jets and burned the final defender, scoring an 89 yard touchdown to bury the Bulldogs hopes of winning. After the play was over, senior running back Drew Lewis was injured by Turlock wide receiver and safety Jacob Mabie. Lewis was taken off the field and later diagnosed with a high ankle sprain. He remained on the sideline with his team leaning on crutches.
As the clock got closer to zero, the Turlock fans were beginning to leave. This didn’t go unnoticed to the Pitcrew. They began to chant “Where’d your fans go!?” and “This games over!” This was the final blow in competitive battle on and off the field. Pitman won by a final of 27-25, another successful Harvest Bowl. “\The Turlock Journal said, “It is, admittedly, easier to win a war of dueling chants when your team is ahead. But the Pitman fan base was consistently deafening, clearly winning the volume war as well.”
Coach Derr said about the Annual game against Turlock, “We look forward to it. It’s a game we know we have our hands full, we’re fortunate to come out on top and it’s a game we cherish having.”
No. 9 Pitman plays at No. 8 Franklin-Elk Grove at 7 pm at SheldonHigh School in Sacramento.
Roll Pride!