The 10th annual gridiron contest for a good cause -- raising money to assist motivated middle school students from low-income households -- takes place Friday afternoon, Nov. 9, at Woodside High School. The players: the freshman/sophomore and the varsity teams from Valparaiso Avenue neighbors Sacred Heart Prep and Menlo School.

All proceeds from the Valparaiso Bowl go to the nonprofit Peninsula Bridge Program, based in Menlo Park but with offices in Palo Alto. The Bridge program, with partner schools, works to develop academic and personal success for low-income students based on principles of social justice and a commitment to the human potential of all children. "We believe communities are stronger and richer when we work together to solve problems and improve lives," the mission statement says.

The football games begin at 4 and 7 p.m., first the freshman/sophomore team and then the varsity. If the two schools have a football rivalry, it is supposed to be set aside. "It is purely a fun event with a common cause," Bridge Development Director Maureen Garrett wrote in an email. "It is very important to get people to the game," she added. "It is one of our biggest fundraisers!"

Woodside High School is located at 199 Churchill Ave. at the intersection of Woodside Road and Alameda de las Pulgas.

Food and refreshments, courtesy of The Old Pro restaurant in Palo Alto, will include pulled-pork and beef brisket sandwiches, hot dogs, chicken Caesar salad, hot chocolate and soft drinks. The Sacred Heart Prep community will be providing homemade baked goods. All proceeds go to the Bridge program.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students, and free for children under 5. A donors group called the Circle of Champions will be matching the gate proceeds up to $10,000, Ms. Garrett said.

— Dave Boyce

Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.