Football enthusiasts, get ready for a historic clash as we celebrate the 20th season of the Great American Rivalry Series with a game that carries a legacy spanning over a century. It’s “The Bell Game” between the Pueblo Centennial Bulldogs and the Pueblo Central Wildcats, set to unfold at Dutch Clark Stadium on Friday, October 6th, 2023.

The roots of this storied rivalry date back to Thanksgiving Day in 1892, making it one of the oldest and most cherished rivalries in the nation. This year marks the 123rd meeting between these two powerhouse teams, and the anticipation is at an all-time high.

With a remarkable all-time series record of Central leading 60-53-9 against Centennial, the intensity and passion of this competition have only grown stronger over the decades. Last season’s meeting saw Central dominate the game, finishing with a resounding 30-0 victory. Running back Amari Brown proved to be the star of the show, recording two touchdowns on 19 carries for an astonishing 186 yards, making his mark in the record books and crossing the 1000-yard milestone for the season.

Rick Ford, Founder and CEO of the Great American Rivalry Series, shared his thoughts on this historic rivalry, stating, “The Bell Game embodies the essence of high school football rivalries. For over a century, these teams have not only battled for gridiron supremacy but also carried the weight of tradition and pride in their hearts. It’s an honor to witness this matchup as part of our 20th season.”

Beyond the game itself, “The Bell Game” has held unique significance since 1950, with both teams vying for ownership of a railroad bell mounted upon a wheeled cart. The winning school has the privilege of painting the cart in their colors and proudly displaying the bell on their campus, a symbol of triumph and glory.

With a roaring crowd size of 13,000 fans expected to pack Dutch Clark Stadium, the atmosphere will be electric, and the players will draw strength from the rich history and passionate support of their respective fan bases.

The stage is set, the traditions are alive, and the emotions are palpable. As the Pueblo Centennial Bulldogs take on the Pueblo Central Wildcats in “The Bell Game,” one thing is certain – We Know Friday Nights.

MVP

Michael Montoya
Pueblo Central

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

Josiah Barela

Pueblo Central

Josiah is a model student both in the classroom and on the gridiron. While being a part of the football team and President of the Newman Club, Josiah has maintained an impressive GPA. After high school, Josiah wants to play football in college.
Jack McMurtree IV

Pueblo Centennial

Not only using his talents on the football and baseball field, Jack is ranked in the top third of his class. He has been a member of the Centennial JROTC, baseball, and weight-lifting team. Jack has maintained an impressive GPA while being a participant in numerous extra-curricular activities. After high school, Jack wants to major in journalism to stay in the sports world at CSU-P or Pueblo Community College.

GAME SUMMARY

This week the Pueblo Centennial Bulldogs and the Pueblo Central Wildcats set out to test their mettle in “The Bell Game” where these rivals faced off for the chance to win an almost half century tradition; to claim the towns historical railroad bell and paint it proudly in their teams’ colors. The first half saw some excellent plays with an astonishing 60-yard touchdown run, after a beautiful catch by #1 giving the Wildcats a 16-0 lead after a 2-point conversion. The game swung in the wildcat’s favor with a dominating second half where we found out the bulldogs could just not keep up with the cats in the fight for this town’s long running rivalry. With a final score of 52-0 the wildcats, it looks like the bell will be ringing blue this year after a beautiful night of the 20th anniversary of the Great American Rivalry Series!