Garfield Defeats Roosevelt in East LA Classic

Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer

In a game held at So-Fi Stadium the Garfield Bulldogs triumphed over the Roosevelt Rough Riders recently in the 89th East L.A. Classic with a thrilling 38-28 victory, adding another chapter to one of the biggest rivalries in youth sports. The Event was put on by the LA RAMS and the GRONK BOWL" It brought out Alberto M. Carvalho Superintendent of LA Unified schools. The game had an officiating crew that was led by Referee Gordon Weisenberger JR. and members of the Los Angeles Football Officials Unit

"The Los Angeles Rams are grateful to be a part of bringing the historic East LA Classic matchup to SoFi Stadium," said Los Angeles Rams senior director of social justice and football development Johnathan Franklin. "As an alumnus of LAUSD, I'm thrilled to see the Classic grow as we invite high school athletes to play on the same field as professionals. We're excited to include girls' flag football as we continue to grow the legacy of one of the most iconic high school games in the nation."

At one point early on the nearly 18,000 fans in the stood and exploded as Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off grand slam giving the DODGERS a game 1 win in the World Series that appeared on the videoboard during a break in the action- the Black Eyed Peas performed with the help from the Garfield and Roosevelt High's bands and cheerleaders.

The mother of Peas member Taboo Nawasha went to Garfield and William Adams, better known by his artist name will.i.am , is connected to the Bulldogs' opposition through his mom, who attended Roosevelt. By game end Garfield (7-2, 5-0) defeated Roosevelt (3-6, 1-4) in an Eastern League game by a score of 38-28.

The Bulldogs trailed 20-17 in the third before fighting back to take the lead sophomore Ceasar Reyes had a two-yard run. Then in the fourth, the sophomore added a 24-yard scamper that finished the scoring for Garfield.

"I have been looking to play in a pro stadium all my life," said Reyes. "I have been looking to go pro one day and I can't wait. I know it's going to happen. "

I went out there to rock with the Garfield side," Nawasha told the LA Times.

"I stuck to the Roosevelt side," will.i.am stated about his bandmate

Regardless of who the crowd represented, much like the band itself, the event and its ongoing entertainment is one of the top cultural events for youth anywhere. The celebration of East Los Angeles and Boyle Heights was on full display in Inglewood with Roosevelt's and Garfield's mariachi bands strumming their tunes on the second-level concourse. The Black-Eyed Peas' halftime show — featured "Let's Get It Started" and "I Gotta Feeling" — energizing an already deafening-loud to L.A. sports fans.

"In 2022, over 30,000 fans enjoyed a thrilling game and a spectacular halftime show at the Los Angeles Coliseum," Roosevelt High School Principal Ben Gertner said. "Now this huge rivalry game is heading to SoFi Stadium, one of the premier sporting venues in the world, and we are highlighting our newest competition."

Jada Barnes, The Girl's flag teams played each other before the annual classic took place.

"I think it feels really great to come out here and just showcase what our team could do," Barnes said, leading the Bulldogs to a 62-0 victory —It was the largest win in the short program history. "We put on a show for the community, The Bulldogs' senior quarterback, hoisted the trophy as she ran through a banner reading, "" Hunt she — and the Bulldogs — did.

Despite his program's third consecutive loss to Garfield becoming Roosevelt coach Ernesto Ceja couldn't help but be grateful for his team's opportunity to play on the Chargers' and Rams' turf when reminiscing on the game he just coached.

It's a dream that became reality, right?" he said.