They call it "Freak East," and it's a 36-year-old tradition between East and Highland. Everyone from the principal to the parents dress up as if it's Halloween.
The Rams students have incorporated something that looks like it came straight out of the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" to add another twist to the Highland-East rivalry.
"The students started this thing back in the '70s when they frizzed their hair and showed up to the games with this weird hair," said Highland's Claudia Bellemy.
She runs the Rams Cheerleader Squads, which were made up to look like something out of a George Romero "Dead" flick.
"It's really a fun tradition, because many of the parents dress up just like they used to when they were students here," Bellemy said.
Only a lifelong Oakland Raiders fan could really appreciate the Highland student body's effort to "Freak East." By the way, if you missed your chance to dress up as your favorite zombie, you'll have to wait until next year since it's only done when Highland hosts East.
The Rams rebounded from their 3-point loss at Murray with a 79-48 defeat of East. Three players led the Rams in double figures, including former East player Aton Sykes.
The senior scored 13 points on his former team and was named the player of the game.
"It was a blast," Sykes said. "I've been waiting all week for this game."
Aton went to East during his freshman and sophomore years. He was not the only student playing for Highland who could have helped the Leopards. Les and Braden Brown live in the East boundaries but go to Highland.
With open enrollment, they're certainly within the rules set up by the Utah High School Activities Association. New legislation could be created to keep student athletes playing in the school boundaries that they live in.
"I know what they mean by playing on a level field," Brown said. "I think it gets blown out of proportion sometimes."
The Leopards basketball team certainly could use players like the Browns and Aton Sykes.
After a 31-point loss to the Rams, those players would have helped East tremendously. However, Les pointed out that if he wasn't suiting up for Highland, he would most likely be playing for Jim Yerkovich at Judge Memorial.
E-mail: tpeterson@desnews.com