Sports

PHOTOS: Napa High, Vintage High Meet For 'Big Game,' COVID-Style

Crosstown rivals met for Big Game 49 Friday night at Memorial Stadium. The big event was livestreamed for die-hards fans.

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Cheerleaders perform for the Big Game. (Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com)
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Big Game 49 is held Friday night. (Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com)
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Big Game 49 between Napa and Vintage high schools is held Friday night. (Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com)
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Big Game 49 between Napa and Vintage high schools, is held Friday night. (Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com)
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Big Game 49, between Napa and Vintage high schools, is held Friday night. (Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com)
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Big Game 49 is held Friday night at Napa High School. (Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com)
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Performances were a big part of the Big Game. (Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com)
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Fans sit socially distanced Friday night at the Big Game. (Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com)
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Color Guard performs Friday night at the Big Game. (Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com)
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The Big Game is held Friday night. (Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com)
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The Big Game is held Friday night. (Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com)
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Napa High School hosts crosstown rival Vintage High School for the Big Game Friday night. (Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com)

NAPA, CA — Napa's "Big Game" Friday night at Memorial Stadium was scaled back — and delayed months — because of coronavirus restrictions but the marching band still played and cheerleaders and spirit squads still performed as Napa High School took on crosstown-rival Vintage High School.

Darci Ward, Napa High School athletic director, recalled years past when some 10,000 fans, students and alumni packed the stadium for a standing-room-only crowd.

This year, the Big Game XLIX was livestreamed so diehard fans did not miss out on the action of the decades-old rivalry.

Find out what's happening in Napa Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

In the end, Vintage beat Napa 35-7 but all agreed it was good to be back on the gridiron.

Enjoy our photo gallery of the big event, courtesy of local photographer Al Francis.

Find out what's happening in Napa Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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