Central, Centennial ready for unique Bell Game

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- The 72nd edition of the nation's largest rivalry west of the Mississippi River will be among the most unique of all. The COVID-19 pandemic will change the atmosphere for the 2020 Bell Game. There won't be 15,000 fans jammed into Dutch Clark Stadium, but the rivalry between the Central Wildcats and the Centennial Bulldogs is as strong as ever.

The bell belongs to Pueblo Central, but only until Friday. They'll have to beat Centennial for the second straight year to keep it. After the season was was nearly lost, this game means that much more to the players who almost lost the entire season.

"I've dreamed of this moment, and it's finally here. It's a little different but I'm still so excited to be able to participate in it," said Central's Clay Heffron.

"It's probably one of the biggest rivalries I've ever played in. It's a lot of spirit towards you. When you win or when you lose, you can really feel the impact," said Centennial's Troy Silver.

Wildcats players hate the color red. Bulldogs players aren't fond of the color blue. Some Wildcats players don't like bulldogs. Not just Centennial's mascot, but actual bulldogs.

"If it's a bulldog, I'll pet it, but I don't like it," Central's Julian Montano said.

There's no escaping the reality of 2020. The coronavirus won't allow for the same atmosphere as in year's past.

"The crowd not being there this year is going to have a big impact on how the game turns out, because without those people, it's not like it has been for the last several years," says Centennial's Steven Greer.

However, that doesn't mean the game isn't still a huge deal. The entire town knows about it. It's engrained in the community. The players want this game.

"I think it's a good feeling knowing that you were a part of something that big, and that your name is on a list of a bunch of others that played in something that," said Centennial's Ethan Gallegos. "It's definitely a good feeling to know that you could contribute to something of that caliber."

"I think just being given the opportunity to play football, I think we're all a little more excited this year for this bell," said Central's Ryley Roth. "I know it won't be the same. It probably won't have the same atmosphere there, but definitely, I think we're all going to be ready to play."

The 2020 Bell Game kicks off on October 16th.