As the sun dips below the horizon each November in Colorado City, the vibrant glow of camaraderie often illuminates the football field at El Capitan High School. The town, steeped in history and once overshadowed by its infamous past, gathers to celebrate the spirited rivalry between Arizona’s El Capitan Eagles and Utah’s Water Canyon Wildcats.
This annual event has traditionally served as a unifying moment for the closely-knit communities straddling the Arizona-Utah border, collectively known as Short Creek. However, this year, the stands that usually buzz with excitement were notably empty.
A significant measles outbreak in Mohave County, among the largest in the nation, has abruptly halted the football season for El Capitan. The outbreak led to seven game cancellations, including their much-anticipated face-off with Water Canyon, as several team members contracted the virus.
Coach Stephen Campbell reflected on the challenging season, noting, “With hard times come hard people. And hard people, they get through hard times.” Despite the setbacks, the team’s perseverance shone through.
For a team like El Capitan, with a small roster in the eight-man 1A conference, losing players is a substantial blow. Their final game against Williams High School saw them compete with just ten players against a much larger team, resulting in a 55-20 loss and a 0-4 season record.
Adapting to Change
Colorado City has seen transformative changes over the past two decades. Once unimaginable, sports bars and modern amenities now coexist with the town’s traditional roots. Yet, amid these changes, the community faces a new challenge with the measles outbreak, complicated by deep-seated skepticism towards vaccinations.
Historically, the town’s reluctance towards external control, whether religious or governmental, has fueled vaccine hesitancy. A significant portion of the populace claims personal belief exemptions, leading to low vaccination rates.
Dr. Scott Steingard emphasizes the vaccine’s efficacy, stating, “We have pretty good evidence that it works, it’s effective, it’s got virtually no side effects, it confers remarkable immunity for a lifetime and it’s proven safe.”
Despite this, the community’s preference for natural remedies and practices like “measles parties” persists, drawing concern from health professionals.
Building Community Through Sports
For Coach Campbell, the move from a 4A high school to El Capitan’s 1A program in Colorado City was a significant shift, but one that revealed a deeply connected community. The Eagles, though small in number, embody the spirit of resilience.
Riley Barlow, a junior on the team, appreciates the journey and the unity sports bring, saying, “Enjoy every moment. You don’t know how long it’s going to last.” His experience reflects the broader community’s embrace of sports as a means of healing and connection.
The rivalry with Water Canyon extends beyond the field, fostering a sense of unity amid adversity. Although this year’s game was canceled, both teams came together for a joint practice, highlighting the enduring bonds between these neighboring towns.
For the residents of Colorado City, sports are more than just games. They represent a step towards normalcy and a brighter future, leaving behind a tumultuous past.
This article first appeared on Cronkite News and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
