Bonneville and Hillcrest students show support for Fridays big game

It’s been a rivalry for almost three decades. Bonneville High School and Hillcrest High School are going head to head in Friday night’s Civil War football game.

“To me, the civil war is a fun opportunity to share a rivalry with a school in our district,” said Levi Owen, the principal at Bonneville High School.

Many of the Bonneville and Hillcrest High School students grew up watching the big rivalry game. They said it is something they are excited to be a part of.

“As a little girl and a young kid, it was just so cool watching the older kids be so involved with it,” said Hillcrest High School senior Cara Giles.

As the years go on, students and staff at each school continue to pull out all of the stops. Each school shows its school spirit to help get the football teams pumped for the big game, such as putting on dress-up weeks and decorating the hallways with posters.

“Everybody comes together, not only as a school but as a community,” said Sophie Petersen, a senior at Hillcrest High School.

It truly is a schoolwide effort to support the teams.

“Everyone comes out, so the people that don’t normally come to the homes you will see (there),” said Grace Andrus, a senior at Bonneville High School.

With all of the school support, the football players definitely feel the love.

“I love being able to know that the school is behind the team and it’s not just the team out there alone,” said John Zirker, a senior football player for Hillcrest High School.

For staff, it also makes them prideful that they see their students representing each school well.

“It’s the kids having pride in their school, it’s the kids having pride in how they represent their school,” said Tyler Mills, the assistant principal at Hillcrest High School. “It is them making good memories with their friends that will last them for a lifetime.”

However, only one school will walk away with the win and the coveted Civil War trophy.

So who will it be this year?

“We’re going to win; we’re going to take the ‘W,'” Giles said.

“My expectations?” Andrus said. “Huge crowd, rain and a ‘W’ for Bonneville.”

Friday night’s game kicks off at Thunder Stadium in Bonneville County at 7 p.m.

After the game, there are expected to be traffic delays in the Ammon and Iona Road area. The Bonneville Sheriff’s Office will be blocking intersections to assist cars leaving the stadium area. The sheriff’s office expects delays to last from 9 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.