52nd Cannon Game is Friday night in Pueblo

Posted: Oct 13, 2010 11:33 PM by Lee Douglas
Updated: Oct 14, 2010 6:29 AM

It doesn't draw quite as many people as the Bell Game but the Cannon Game is close. Friday night a long-time Pueblo tradition enters its 52nd year when Pueblo East meets Pueblo South in high school football in what's known as the Cannon Game.

10,000 fans will pack Dutch Clark Stadium. The winner also gets a civil war type cannon that actually works!

However, it's been a one-sided rivalry lately. South has won 13 straight Cannon Games. However there is a feeling on the East side of Pueblo that the streak make end this year.

East tailback Lawrance Lucero told News First 5's Jordan Mason, "Some say that South is going to keep it. But we feel this is the year. It's been a long time coming."

East coach David Ramirez added, "To break the streak would be fun. It would be great for our community and for what we want to do as a program it would be a huge stepping stone for us."

Ryan Goddard is in his first year as head coach at South. He replaces somewhat of a legend in Mark Haering. Goddard was an assistant to Haering and also played for him.

"I understand the importance of the game," said Goddard. "I understand what it means to the school and what it means to the community. Obviously I think a lot of the game myself as an alumnus and we're going to get after it."

South quarterback Niklas Spinuzzi added, "There's a lot of pressure not to be the first team to lose it."

East is 4-2 this season while South is 2-4. Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. Friday at Pueblo's Dutch Clark Stadium.