The History of the Bell Game

Thanksgiving Day, 1892, a rivalry began which became the longest rivalry of high school football west of the Mississippi, better known as the Bell Game.

The annual game takes place in the peak of fall between the Pueblo Central High School Wildcats and the Pueblo Centennial High School Bulldogs, in which they fight for a railroad bell mounted on a cart, which was donated to the game in 1950 by Lou Rhodes, a local fan and booster, to serve as a symbol of victory. Each year, fans from the Orman Army of Central exclaiming the bell will ring blue and those of the Dog Pound at Centennial exclaiming the bell will ring red, exemplifying each school’s colors.

Each year, the bell is painted to the winning teams colors, with Central winning the last 6 Bell Games dated back to 2019, with the bell ringing blue since then. All time, Central leads the series 62-53-9, and also holds the record of largest win, beating the Bulldogs 74-0 in 1898. Earl “Dutch” Clark was a pro football hall of famer and has the stadium that the Bell Game is played in named after him. He played his senior year for the Wildcats in 1925, exactly 100 years to the current year of 2025. The most points scored in a Bell Game was the last game of the 19th century with Centennial beating Central 69-53 for a combined 121 points.The nine times the game has ended in a tie, in 1932, 1936, 1942, and 1956, both teams failed to score, ending in a 0-0 tie each time. 

The highest consecutive winning streak of the Bell all time was from 1953-1962 (10 years) with Central retaining the Bell in each. However in 1907, the Bell Game ended in a tie, causing an all out brawl to break out on the field and then continued after the game as well. The game then went on a 15 year hiatus, justifying the wants of a fun and safe rivalry, with no riots breaking out.

The most interesting Bell Game perhaps was that of the one that took place in 2020, during the peak of the COVID 19 pandemic, in which both Central and Centennial were only allowed 175 fans to each side to root on their respective teams, with Central beating the Bulldogs 17-9. In the 124 games however there have only been two games that went to overtime (OT) both happening not till the 20th century. It first happened in 2008, with the Wildcats edging the Dogs by one point 22-21, and in 2017, with the Bulldogs beating Central 14-8.

Wins by each team by decade:

*Neither team played due to Bell Game hiatus.

Wins by Century:

18th: Centennial, 4. Central, 2.

19th: Centennial, 36. Central, 49

20th: Centennial, 13. Central, 11.

Interview with a Bulldog

The Today Reporter, Gio Alfonso, had the opportunity to interview a former player Ruben Sanchez, who is originally from Allentown, Pennsylvania. He played all years of his high school tenure from 2021-2024, playing wide receiver, cornerback, running back, and occasionally quarterback as well.

When asked what it was like playing in the Bell Game Sanchez said, “For me not being from here and not knowing what the environment was like during the Bell Game, it was truly surreal. I had never felt anything like it until I started in my first Bell Game, and it was the most fun I’ve had.”

Furthermore, the question was asked to Sanchez why this game was unlike any others you had played in, in which he replied, “This game meant more to everyone that played due to the emotions, rivalry, school spirit, how much the town got involved, and of course, the bell.”

Sanchez stated that the game meant much more than just a game. It quickly became who he is today and shaped him into a person. He then continued to say, it is a love that is indescribable.

Sanchez then stated why the rivalry was and is so important to him, said he has always been such a competitive person and he hates losing, so the rivalry was important to him, inspiring him to play harder. Sanchez furthermore stated the feeling of excitement never changed for him from first to last Bell Game, but the first was filled with so much excitement and joy, much like the last as well. The only main difference he continued to say between his first and last was there was a window of sadness knowing it was his very last one.

This Year’s Bell Game: What to Know 

This year’s Bell Game will be the 115th in 133 years. The coaches are that of head coach Kris Cotterman, who has led the Wildcats since 2017, and first year head coach Tracy Swearingen, who also coached for the Bulldogs from 1987-2002. Both Central and Centennial were 1-3 heading into the contest, with Centennial’s win coming against the Sierra Stallions 20-6, and Central’s coming against the Alamosa Mean Moose 21-14.

For the Wildcats, offensively, sophomore Zion Aguilar leads in both completion percentage, completing over 42% of his passes, and a rating of 53, junior Isaac Crespin leads the team in receiving yards, averaging over 30 yards per game, with senior LaDamien Davis having their only receiving touchdown so far, and senior Dayton Block leads in rushing yards, with over 40 yards per game. Defensively, senior Angelo Baros has the one and only interception for the Wildcats. The Wildcats are averaging 9.75 points per game, being shut out twice to Discovery Canyon and Moorpark California, and allowing an average of 20.25 points per game.

Now for the Bulldogs, offensively, junior quarterback Augustine Cecinho leads them, averaging 101.3 rushing yards per game, racking up 2 touchdowns on the season as well, with senior Imanol Munoz, averaging 28 yards per game receiving. Defensively, they are led by senior juggernaut Ezra Mestas, who is averaging 10 tackles per game, and 7 sacks on the year, with senior DeMarcus Duggan leading the Dogs with their only interception of the year. The Bulldogs are averaging 8.75 points per game, being shutout only once, while allowing 34 points per game.

The Box Score

Although Centennial ended the 6 year scoring drought in the Bell Game, Central led the entire game, winning 50-15.

For the Bulldogs, senior quarterback Chaz Brooks led, completing 7 of his 11 passes for a 63% completion percentage, for 141 yards and a quarterback rate of 107.2. Rushing wise, junior Augustin Cecinho led with 8 rushes for 32 yards, averaging 4 yards per carry, and senior Ezra Mestas ran it 3 times for 17 yards and a touchdown. Receiving wise, senior Jose Garcia had 5 receptions for 115 yards, and Cecinho had 2 receptions for 26 yards. Garcia also had a 84 yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Additionally, senior Ella Greenwood became the only female to ever play or score in the Bell game, as a kicker.

Defensively for Centennial, senior Ezra Mestas led with 9 tackles (3 unassisted, 6 assisted) and a blocked field goal, he and seniors Imanol Munoz, Steven McMurtree, and Chase Castleberry each had .5 sacks on the game.

For the Wildcats offensively, sophomore quarterback Zion Aguilar completed 9 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Dayton Blok rushed for 4 touchdowns, and was named the Great American Rivalry Series MVP of the game. Receiving wise, senior Preston Madril caught both of Aguilar’s touchdowns, with 219 of his 262 passing yards being caught by him, being named the KDZA MVP postgame. Sophomore Cordell Hayes and senior Brody Renner also had one score each.

Central’s defensive stats were not released for public review, but they held the Bulldogs to 15 points the entire game, only allowing one touchdown in each the 2nd and 4th quarter, shutting them out in the first and third.

East High School vs. South High School: The 50th Anniversary Game

The 50th annual Cannon Game was everything you could’ve expected it to be and then some. Having former NFL players from the Denver Broncos, along with a few of their cheerleaders, and their beloved mascot Miles, waiting to greet spectators walking into historic Dutch Clark Stadium, home of the “Flying Dutchman.” However the weather had other plans, a thunder storm filled with enough rain to soak all in attendance. It delayed the start of the game by an hour and continued throughout the game in waves.

The first half was run heavy with both quarterbacks, Dolphka Lewis of the Pueblo East High School Eagles and Caeden Herrera of the Pueblo South High School Colts, struggling to get a grip of the football due to the drenched conditions. The only score of the first half was that of Lewis on a rushing touchdown, to lead the Eagles into halftime with a 7-0 lead. The third quarter was more of the same, with East having a commanding 13-0 lead going into the 4th, off of another Dolphka Lewis Run. However, in the 4th quarter, the South Colts rose to the occasion, answering quickly with a touchdown, and then East coming back with one of their own from Dion Allsworth to Xavian Khamphavong for a long touchdown pass, putting the score to 21-7. Lewis then followed it up with a rush for a two-point conversion.

The Colts would fail to answer, but caused a turnover. Then with 5 minutes remaining,  Caeden Herrera threw a 50 yard bomb in the endzone, to make the score 21-14. Now, East, seeming unfazed with that turnover, took that ball down to the other end of the field quite quickly, getting into the red zone with a little over 4 minutes to play. The Colts of South stood strong, forcing two crucial delays of game penalties back to back, which were both lapses of judgement from head coach Tony Valdez of East, and his squad. This then forced them out of field goal range, and caused them to go for a 4th and goal from the 18 yard line in which they almost nearly succeeded, but fell short at the 2 yard line.

Now what happened next was truly extraordinary, as the Colts led the ball down field with 2 minutes and 38 seconds to go, very smoothly and efficiently. They converted 3 third downs into first downs with  senior Herrera, senior wide receiver Jake Pisciotta, senior running back Chase Hurley, and senior Namon Robinson, each having crucial clutch moments, leading the Colts down field for a touchdown as the clock ran out to zero’s on the board. With the score now 21-20, South decided to go out on their terms, with Coach Ryan Goddard sending out his offense for two for the win instead of going for the tie, knowing that if they didn’t get it, they would lose.

Goddard sent his “O” back on the field, with Caeden Herrera immediately going through his progressions, contemplating running, then setting his feet, and delivering an absolute strike to Namon Robinson in the endzone, to win the Colts the game. All of the Eagles and Colts were in disbelief, but for very different reasons.

The Eagles in the worst way possible, after losing in the most heartbreaking way, with no time left by one point. The Colts with excitement, and admiration, as fans watched a performance of the ages on display. Declaring that the cannon booms black, the Colts secured Coach Goddard’s 100th win as head coach, in a Cannon Game for the ages.

The Box Score

Offensively for the Eagles, junior quarterback Dolphka Lewis was 2 of 6 for 23 yards with a rating of 45.8, with junior quarterback Dion Allsworth completing both of his passes for 94 yards including an 83 yard completion for a touchdown giving him a rating of 177.1. Rushing wise, Dolphka Lewis led with 21 carries for 217 yards averaging 10.3 yards per carry with two touchdowns. Receiving wise, junior Dolphka Lewis, and seniors Sam Kirkland, Elijah Contreras, and Xavian Khampavong each had a reception with Xavien catching the 83 yard bomb from Allsworth.

Defensively junior Dylan Cooper led with 20 total tackles (5 solo, 15 assisted) and Elijah Contreras having the Eagles lone sack.

Offensively for the Colts, senior quarterback Caeden Herrera completed 14 of 22 passes for a 63% completion percentage, with two touchdowns and a 116.3 rating. Rushing wise, senior Chase Hurley led with 20 rushes for 132 yards (6.6 avg) and one touchdown. Receiving wise, junior Landen Cordova led with 5 receptions for 66 yards and both of Herrera’s touchdowns were caught by him. Jake Pisciotta also had 6 receptions for 51 yards (8.5 avg).

Defensively Landen Cordova led with 18 tackles (11 solo, 7 assisted) and Chase Hurley with 12 tackles (9 solo, 3 assisted). Sophomore Israel Allen had a fumble recovery along with senior David Dietz as well.

Pueblo County High School vs. Pueblo West High School: Throughout the Years

Even though in the early days of this rivalry it was pretty even (wins wise), with the Pueblo County High School Hornets winning one year, and the Pueblo West “P Dub” High School Cyclones the next, it has not really been that way since. Pueblo West leads the series, winning 18 of the 25 Pigskin Classics, also winning nine in a row against the “Fighting Hornets.”

August 29th, 2025, the streak nearly ended. The Cyclones, led by head coach Clint Buderus since 2018, scored 12 quick points in the first, and led the Hornets 18-7 at the half. However, County, led by head coach Ramie Enriquez since 2022, showed they were the “Fighting Hornets” for a reason, putting up 27 in the fourth quarter, and outscoring Pueblo West by 6 in the second half, but falling short by a narrow 5 points, with Pueblo West outlasting Pueblo County 39-34. This, like the other two local rivalries, gives Pueblo residents a chance to root on their alma mater, in a fun, positive, and safe way, keeping things fresh in the Pueblo community for many years to come.

The Box Score

Offensively for the Hornets, junior quarterback Brody Harrison led with 2 touchdowns, one interception, completing 15 of 21 passes for a 71% completion percentage, and a rating of 100. junior wide receiver Brady Ware led with 13 carries for 101 yards, averaging 7.8 yards a carry, and a touchdown. Wide receiver Brady Ware also led in receiving, with 3 receptions for 60 yards, and two touchdowns.

Defensively senior Blake Swift led with 10 tackles, and senior Luca Tucci led with one sack and senior Jacob Gonzales, junior Jace Gonzales, and senior Marcus Lucero each had one fumble recovery.

Offensively for the Cyclones, junior quarterback Brendan Ray only passed 6 times the entire game, completing 5 for an 83% completion percentage, and having 51 yards for a rating of 106.9. Rushing wise, quarterback Brendan Ray also led with 11 carries for 124 yards and a touchdown, averaging 11.3 yards per rush and sophomore running back Chance Chamberlain having 9 carries for 47 yards and three touchdowns. Receiving wise, Chamberlain had 2 receptions for 23 yards, with seniors Trace Humphrey, Jayden Gylling, and Zack Duran each having one as well.

Defensively senior Matthew Zeck led with 9 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble and recovery. Senior Grant Hribar also had .5 of a sack and Landyn Perez also followed up with a fumble recovery of his own.