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For the past two years, Trevor Pruitt has been proud to help lead the Mountain View High School Spartans varsity football team to victory over the Los Altos High School Eagles in the district's annual Pride Bowl. But next season, Pruitt will be gunning to reverse the Spartan's fortune, and bring the Pride Bowl trophy to LAHS.

That's because Pruitt was recently poached by the competition, and is now head coach of the Eagles varsity squad.

"This is a great thing," Pruitt said, explaining that he anticipates the level of competition between the two district schools will only be intensified by his move. He said he hopes that more competition will lead to harder work and harder fought games and ultimately raise school pride at both Mountain View and Los Altos high schools.

A Mountain View native, Pruitt grew up in local schools -- attending Bubb Elementary School, Graham Middle School and Mountain View High School, where he played football. He said he is excited to coach for the district and is hopeful that his excitement and passion will rub off on his student athletes.

Pruitt began his career as a coach in 2007, when he was brought on as a special teams coordinator for the freshman and sophomore MVHS squad. When Toure Carter took over the Spartans two years ago, he was promoted to offensive coordinator and assistant coach for the varsity team.

He said his young coaching staff will not just give direction to their team, but will also work out with the kids in the weight room and on the field -- all in an effort to energize the Eagles.

"I think we're going to bring a new dimension to LA that they haven't had for many years," he said.

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