In California you have rivalry games, and you have RIVALRY GAMES! For example when you speak of rivalries to the locals they talk about USC vs. UCLA, Oakland vs. San Diego, Dodgers vs. Giants, and Barstow vs. Victor Valley. This game is the second oldest rivalry in California High School Football History and the people told us about it all week. This game was a matchup of a 5 and 1 team (Barstow) vs. a 2 and 3 team (Victor Valley), however when it comes to this rivalry game, you can throw the records out the window.

MVP

Efren Gomez

Victor Valley

HALL OF FAME

Jim Ostrander

Barstow

Played in the rivalry during 1956 and 1957. After graduation in 1958, Jim went on to play two years at Chaffey Junior College and went on to graduate from West Texas State University in 1965. Jim played in the 1963 Sun Bowl while in college. Was an assistant coach in 13 Victor Valley vs. Barstow rivalry games and head coach in three. Jim served as principal at Barstow High School from 1990-1995. Retired from the Barstow School District in 2016 after serving 49 years.

Chris Douglass

Victor Valley

Chris Douglass graduated from Victor Valley High School in 1978 and played varsity football for 3 years, which included three Axe rivalry games against Barstow High School. After College in 1984, he started teaching and coaching at Victor Valley. He taught and coached football for 16 years; he also coached basketball for one year. He was an assistant principal at Victor Valley six years and the principal for 10 years. Mr. Douglass ended his 32 year career after celebrating the centennial of Victor Valley High School during the 2015-16 school year.

GAME SUMMARY

The battle for the “Axe” began with both teams shaking hands, which takes the place of the post-game handshake due to past incidents between these rivals. The game began as a hard hitting defensive battle as both teams could only manage nine points combined throughout the entire first half. Barstow, who had won the previous three meetings between the rivals, took a 6 to 3 lead into halftime as they managed to push across the lone touchdown of the half. The second half was much of the same except Victor Valley managed to score a long field goal by game MVP Efren Gomez and a go ahead rushing touchdown late in the 4th to secure the victory. Victory Valley broke the three game skid to Barstow by winning 13 to 6 and finally bringing home the Axe to Victorville.