JROTC squads from Sam Rayburn, Dobie, Pasadena and South Houston compete in the A-frame races.

   Students in the Pasadena ISD's four JROTC programs converged on the Sam Rayburn campus last week for some friendly inter-service rivalry and to build esprit de corps among the new freshmen. The district has JROTC programs for the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.
  Sam Rayburn High and its Texan Battalion served as hosts of the event for the sixth consecutive year.
  The cadets competed in a variety of events, including A-frame races, pontoon races, tug-o-war, sumo wrestling and push-ball -- adding up to what is commonly referred to as the "Battle on the Bayou," due to Sam Rayburn's close proximity to Little Vince's Bayou.
  Over 500 cadets and approximately 100 parents and spectators took part in activities on Saturday to see which school would win the honor of guardian of the "Battle of the Bayou" trophy for the 2011-2012 school year.
  The Texan Battalion prevailed in the competition for the fifth time in the past six years.
  The competition went down to the wire with the Texans literally pulling past South Houston in the final event, the tug-o-war.
  The Texan Battalion will be hosting another major JROTC competition on Oct. 15. Fifteen other high school JROTCs from throughout the region will compete for top honors in drill, color guard, fitness and other events.