Varsity Football defeated Cupertino High School 66-28 on Friday, Nov. 7, winning the Helmet Game, an annual competition between MVHS and CHS. The Matadors were able to secure the Helmet Trophy for the second year in a row, and scored the highest number of points in the history of the Helmet Game. As the last game of the 2025-2026 football season, the game was also Senior Night for the Football, Dance and Cheer teams.
Before the game started, parents and friends escorted their graduating seniors on the teams across the field holding signs and flowers in celebration. After the ceremony, the game began with a quick touchdown by CHS in the first quarter, bringing the score to 6-0. However, the Matadors quickly reversed the score, scoring four consecutive touchdowns in the first quarter, three of which were scored by senior Graham Ischo. The Matadors secured a lead of 30-20 by the end of the first quarter and ended the second quarter with a score of 43-27.
Senior, linebacker and running back Rocco Ling recounts the first half of the game being a bit rocky. However, he adds that because the team came together, it was ultimately able to execute a good second half, allowing the Matadors to gain a strong lead. Ling adds that one highlight of the game was a defensive touchdown scored by Ischo.
“There’s a lot of pressure on us to score that touchdown, and the clock was nearing zero,” Ling said. “Our coach has always wanted us to score a defensive touchdown, and Graham being able to clutch it up and score was an amazing thing.”
MVHS continued to dominate the game in the third quarter, ending with a score of 45-27. The team’s momentum continued in the fourth quarter, with Ischo scoring three more touchdowns and bringing the final score to 66-27. Senior, receiver and cornerback Haris Shaikh says the win served as a memorable ending to his high school football career and is thankful for all the relationships that he has been able to build throughout.
“It was just a lot of emotions because it was our last game,” Shaikh said. “Everyone wanted to win, and it was both happy and sad at the same time, since it’s also the last four years of our lives gone like that.”
Reflecting on his high school football career, Ling doesn’t plan to pursue football in college but remains grateful for the experience. He believes that he was not only able to advance his athletic abilities, but also find a community that fostered many friendships and valuable memories.
“I spent four years of hard work on this field and now it’s all coming to an end,” Ling said. “Even if I were to relive high school, I would 100% still play football. I enjoy the brotherhood, and I feel like if I were just playing an individual sport, it wouldn’t mean as much when you win. But because I play with all my friends and we’ve known each other for four years, it just means so much more every time we win.”
