Belen-Columbus football series comes to an end

While most never really declared it a “rivalry” because the same team won every year, the greatest high school football social event in Miami-Dade County has come to an end. At least for now.

Columbus High School released a statement this week announcing that Belen had notified the them that its annual football battle between the two schools will no longer be played.

“We respect Belen’s decision not to play the annual game any longer,” said Columbus president Thomas Kruczek. “I am currently exploring new options for the Columbus family to celebrate the kickoff of the season and our first football state championship.”

The programs met for the first time 2005 and the game was unforgettable as more than 20,000 fans packed FIU Stadium, arriving four hours early to start tailgating.

But as hard as the Wolverines tried, they could never break through with that signature win as the Explorers won every game for 15 consecutive seasons.

Under longtime coach Rich Stuart, Belen came close two years in a row but came up just short. In 2007 and 2008 the Wolverines led both games in the second half before eventually dropping 13-12 and 13-9 decisions, respectively.

But despite not being able to win, the game never lost its sizzle as it became more of a social event than anything else. With such a large heavy-based alumni, tailgate parties hours before the game from the two sides became legendary as the lechon, black beans and rice flowed.

It didn’t matter that Columbus had won 14 straight. Last September, Tropical Stadium was packed to the hilt again as the two teams went at it.

But, like so many times during the series, Belen would hang tough for a while before Columbus would pull away as the Explorers did on that night pulling away from a 14-7 third quarter lead to win 41-7.

“The Belen Jesuit administration and coaches reached this decision for various reasons,” said longtime Belen athletic director Carlos Barquin. “Among them, the new FHSAA districts, playoff aligments and playoff format. We are passionate about our students and have their best interest in mind whenever making any decision.”