This Friday at 6:30 pm, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Barons will battle in a face-off against their long-time rivals, the Walter Johnson (WJ) Wildcats, for the highly anticipated 2025 homecoming football game. While excitement is high, the B-CC administration is taking extensive precautions to ensure a safe environment following incidents in previous years.
In an email sent Monday to students and parents, the B-CC administrators outlined several safety measures designed to minimize contact between the two fan bases and prevent altercations. The letter referenced the presence of both B-CC security staff and Montgomery County Police, along with several logistical changes to game operations.
Both schools’ students and families will enter the stadium through different gates on each side of the school. “B-CC students and families will enter through the main stadium entrance by the parking garage,” the email read. “WJ students and families will enter through the entrance on Chelton Rd.” Each side will have its own concessions and portable restrooms available to each side. Spectators are expected to return directly to their seats after using the restrooms or concession areas. At the end of the game, fans will exit through their designated sides to avoid crowd mixing. Administrators also urged families to leave campus immediately afterward. “In the interest of safety, students and families are expected to leave B-CC and go directly home following the game. We are asking parents and students to avoid Downtown Bethesda,” the email stated. The announcement follows violent incidents that broke out the last time B-CC hosted WJ, including brutal fights near the downtown Bethesda Metro Station and local restaurants.
A new email was sent out on October 8, two days after the original email, in response to inappropriate social media posts about the rivalry. The email provided an important update about the limit of people allowed to attend the game. Only 1,400 tickets are available for the game, compared to the normal 2,000 tickets that students can purchase. B-CC Administration’s involvement with security measures in the rivalry is to try and prevent altercations after or during the game. This year’s safety plan has been enforced by administrators to ensure that the rivalry remains spirited and safe.
