West Edmonton high school football rivalry rekindles

By Tyler Loutan

EDMONTON — West Edmonton gets ready for a classic high school football rivalry when the Ross Sheppard Thunderbirds face the Jasper Place Rebels on Oct. 6.

The Thunderbirds play the Rebels at John Bright Park at 5 p.m. in Week 3 of the senior football regular season. The teams will not only be playing for a win in the Bright Conference, but also representing west Edmonton in what has been a fun rivalry for both schools.

“Both schools always get revved up for this game,” said head coach Ryan David of the Jasper Place Rebels. “There’s always a great turnout whenever we play each other, and it’s always a close hard-fought game.”

The two schools are the main public high schools on the west end, and have a storied past on the football field. The games these schools have played against each other still have an impact on school alumni and the community.

“In the late ‘80s, early ‘90s, JP and Shep had a great rivalry,” said head coach Brian Buchynski of the Ross Sheppard Thunderbirds. “Some of the guys who played in those games still come out to watch whenever we play each other, because those games were so memorable and so fun to be a part of.”

The rivalry between the schools has become more about respect between the schools, rather than the heated battle it was in the ‘60s and ‘70s. The school staff and students collaborate on various projects these days.

“Lots of these guys grew up together in the same neighbourhoods and are friends outside of school,” said David. “Some played on minor league football teams together when they were younger, so they know each other quite well.”

Another factor that changed the rivalry is the students’ option to choose which school they attend regardless of where they live.

“The schools used to set districts where kids could only attend one school or the other based on where they lived,” said Buchynski. “But now kids from all over Edmonton attend either school, so it’s not so territorial and there’s a lot more respect between them now.”

While the rivalry may have different dynamics now, it still brings out the pride in both schools. Jasper Place started a school drum line two years ago, which led Ross Sheppard to start a drum line of its own.

“JP has an excellent drum line, they bring a college football atmosphere to the games,” said Buchynski. “When both drum lines play off during the game, it’s just going to be a fun place to be.”

 

Ross Sheppard students show their school pride when they play each other as well.

“Last year, the Shep students and supporters all came to the game wearing ‘beat J.P.’ T-shirts,” said David. “It was really cool to see them come out and support their team that way.”

While the Thunderbirds have been dominant over the past six years, the Rebels won last year’s game between the two. Both coaches say the Rebels are building into a better team, and expect closer games in the very near future.

The Thunderbirds and Rebels both have one win and one loss in the regular season.

The Rebels’ next game will be against the Harry Ainlay Titans on Oct. 14 in Week 4 of the regular season, while the Thunderbirds will have Week 4 off.