well this football games was being announced everywhere,although i dislike both schools because both are our rivals it was still an intresting match but everyone knew belen had no chance,there are widespread rumors about columbus having illegal and uneligible players,and also about steriod use.or atleast that what we say at gables high whenever our football team loses to them.
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Columbus tops longtime rival Belen
BY DAVID OVALLE
[email protected]
For decades, the schools' battles have been of perceptions.
Belen Jesuit Preparatory, they say, are the nerds, the geeks. Christopher Columbus Catholic High School, they say, are the jocks, the meatheads.
But on a sweaty Friday evening, the natural rivalry between the prestigious, private, all-boys Catholic schools was cemented with the most American of pastimes:
Football. Smash-mouth, bone-crushing, emotionally raw football.
''It's a gladiator sport. It's the nature of it -- you get to go out there and prove who's more of a man,'' said Belen grad Jorge Varela, 45.
''C'mon, it's football -- what more can you say?'' said Columbus grad Gene Bechamps, 48.
And so fans flocked to the first gridiron meeting of the two schools long known for churning out prominent civic and business leaders such as Miami Mayor Manny Diaz (Belen) and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Carlos Gimenez (Columbus).
The Columbus Explorers beat the Belen Wolverines 21-7 in the exhibition game at sold-out Florida International University's football stadium. But in the end, the build up and extension of the rivalry mattered more than the final score.
Many Belen and Columbus students are Cuban American. Many grew up together, attended grade school together. They chase the same girls. When they graduate, they'll grow old together.
The schools are roughly five miles apart in Southwest Miami-Dade. Columbus was founded in 1958; Belen in 1961.
Two hours before kickoff, underneath a white tent and over fresh-smelling grass, alumni from both schools mingled to the blare of tropical beats.
For months since the game was announced, they've looked forward to this game, scrambled for tickets. Belen's football program didn't start until 1972 and never really had the talent pool to play Columbus.
IN COMMON
Most of these alumni share the same faith and have kids who go to their alma mater. Some have married girls who, back in high school, preferred the rival.
''You get guys who hated each other in high school here sharing beers,'' said Alex Ramos, a 1987 Columbus grad.
''We always wanted to play Columbus but we knew they were always afraid to play us,'' said Albert Lucas, 39, a 1984 Belen grad.
Around the corner, the rivalry was a wee bit less civil because the front-line soldiers were current students.
Belen's student body council set up a tailgate party, complete with giant inflatable Wolverine head, DJ and food catered from a popular Mexican restaurant. They even had Julio Jimenez, 17, a senior, dressed in thick, furry Wolverine mascot uniform.
''I gave my body up for this inferno,'' he said with pride. ``It feels like I'm wearing two sweaters.''
Across the way, Belen school buses cruised by to a chorus of jeers from red-clad Columbus students. Somebody launched a football at the procession.
PLAYING FIELD
Readying to enter the game were Columbus students Eric Marti, 15, and Eric Rodriguez, 14, both ninth-graders. Like the rest of Columbus, they're still smarting from two straight losses to Belen in basketball.
''This is our revenge,'' Eric Rodriguez vowed.
He added: ``The real competition is with the girls.''
Football and basketball aside, getting the girls from sister schools Our Lady of Lourdes Academy and St. Brendan Catholic High might spark the most competition at the all-boys schools.
THE FANS
Among the fans were Lourdes students Monica Font, 17, and Janelle Urquiola, 16.
Monica shunned wearing blue or red, opting for a lime green top.
''I have friends on both sides. I can't pick sides,'' she said.
Janelle was more decisive. ``I'm Columbus. My boyfriend goes there. They're like the jocks.''
The football game may be over today. Trust us, the rivalry will still simmer.
mg: , the number 13 is in everyone's minds, especially this weekend, and there's another special 13, a lucky number and a good one. :cheers: 
