Muir Seeks to Extend Dominance of Turkey Tussle Series at Rose Bowl Tonight

One of Southern California’s most storied high school football rivalries will mark its 77th chapter Friday when John Muir High School faces Pasadena High School in the annual Turkey Tussle at the Rose Bowl.

The game is among the most significant high school athletic events in the City as generations of families continue to show pride in the respective schools.

The 7:00 p.m. matchup on November 1 features defending champion Muir looking to build on last year’s commanding 45-0 victory, while Pasadena High seeks to narrow Muir’s overall series lead. The record stands at 46-20-2 in favor of John Muir High School.

“I think it’s probably one of the best high school rivalries in the nation… Our families have been a part of it. So as a player, as a coach, you always want to leave your stamp. So the motivation is just built in,” said Lance Mitchell, Muir’s football coach.

The coveted Victory Bell trophy awaits the winner in the south end zone.

The Bell is said to date back to a friendly wager between two fathers in 1955. One, the parent of a PHS Bulldog student, had bragged about how badly Pasadena was going to beat Muir in the game. A Muir dad took offense and fired back that Muir will be victorious. After heated discussion, a wager was struck between the two excited men, not for money, but for pride.

It seems the PHS dad was a retired Santa Fe railroadman, and as a retirement gift from the railroad he was awarded the bell from his locomotive train. He bet that PHS would defeat Muir and was willing to put his most sacred possession, the bell, up as the prize.

PHS did win that game and the bell was heard ringing loud and clear after the game.

The following year, the father once again put the bell up as a symbol for the victor — but Muir won the game. Muir demanded that the bell be sent to their campus until they played again next year. And so the tradition began.

“The Bell is the focal point… Man, it’s been normal to walk through our hallway right there in the front of the school in the eight building and see that bell there,” said Ron Jones, PHS Football Coach.

The rivalry began in 1947 between Pasadena Community College and John Muir Junior College, shifting to its current format between the high schools in 1954.

“For the day of the game, we’ll talk stuff to each other, but then after the game we’re back to being that community… we’re back to being coworkers and going for the same thing to make our district and our students the best possible people that we can be,” said Lawton Gray, John Muir High School principal.

Dr. Elizabeth Blanco, PUSD Superintendent, points to the game’s broader significance.

“It does bring our community together, and so it forms unity within the community… It gives them an opportunity to feel like professional football players right at the Rose Bowl and everybody cheering for them. And it reminds me of some college games that I’ve been to.”

The game will feature band performances, cheerleading displays, and alumni events, including halftime honors for past players. KRLN will broadcast the game live at goPUSD.com/livesports.

Tickets are available for Muir supporters by clicking here  and for PHS fans by clicking here.

The Rose Bowl is enforcing a clear bag policy, and the venue is cashless.