Playing for pride at Celtic–Cheetah Bowl

By Cristina Cabrera Jarro -

Photography: CRISTINA CABRERA JARRO | FC

HIALEAH | Turf and cleats. Pompoms and megaphones. Passes and touchdowns. A travelling trophy and football fun.

On Nov. 12, Ted Hendricks Stadium became the gridiron setting for the traditional flag football matchup between the Immaculate Conception Celtics and Our Lady of the Lakes Cheetahs. The stadium is located next to Immaculate’s property in Hialeah, and just a few miles down the road from the Cheetahs’ home, Miami Lakes.  

Football fever hit both schools throughout the week as they prepared with posters, pep rallies and other festivities.

A pastor who is also the chaplain for the Miami Dolphins, Father Manny Alvarez of Immaculate Conception Church was as excited as the seventh and eighth graders playing the game. Before the game started, he wowed the players with his throwing arm.

“I’m blessed because it’s a sport I love and I get to see it on Sundays professionally, but then I also enjoy this,” he said. “A lot of them play sports together, so when they get together it adds a little extra something to the game and it makes for some intense and passionate and sometimes argumentative football. But it’s a lot of fun for the schools and for the kids as well.”

This year, there was more at stake than bragging rights, as a travelling trophy was introduced. The trophy is yet to be named, but the names of two beloved late pastors, one from each parish, are in the running: Father James Murphy, who was pastor at Our Lady of the Lakes from 1996 to 2011, and Msgr. Dominic Barry, pastor at Immaculate Conception from 1956 to 1971.

The cross-town rivalry game has become a tradition between the schools, calling out not only the student body for support but parents and alumni. The game also serves as a fundraiser for both schools.

“I’ve been seeing this game for 29 years,” said Amy Cao, an alumna of Immaculate Conception School and its cheerleading coach.

While Cao has seen her share of football games, her focus now is on the cheerleading squads and her daughter, Diana, who is an eighth grader and captain of the varsity cheerleading squad.

Still, she enjoys looking back at her time with Immaculate. “It’s a homecoming for us,” Cao added.

With every passing play, the crowd, young and old, cheered for their school even louder.

“Go Cheetahs!”

“Go Celtics!”

The crowd marveled at the catches and tumbles from the players.

“They’re great athletes,” said FatherAlvarez. “They can play basketball, baseball, football, volleyball. Any sport you put them out there and they’re ready to play.”

Final score of the game: 40-7, with the Celtics for the win.