Bell Game celebrations are back
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- It's the biggest high school football rivalry in Southern Colorado, and some say it's the oldest rivalry west of the Mississippi.
On Friday, Pueblo Central and Pueblo Centennial will take the field for the 121st bell game. Athletic Director John Ward says they are excited to see this night play out and fill the stands with more than just 175 spectators, which was the limit on last year's game due to COVID-19.
"I think right now the big thing we are seeing is that the kids are really excited that things are going back to normal and they are getting to have all the things that the 2020 football season had before it was very limited," said Ward.
The celebrations are back and both schools are living by the quote "go big or go home."
As the president of the Central High School Foundation would say, it is a huge comeback year.
"We will have about 300 people at our tailgate tomorrow prior to the game and of course we are really excited because we haven't been able to have this type of event," added Miller.
For the Centennial Bulldogs, they are having their 'Bell Bash' Thursday night in honor of the bell game.
"Kids hit a car with a sledgehammer and we paint it with the school colors and I think that's where the name originated from," added Ward.
Known as the "One-Hundred Year War," Central holds a 58-53-9 edge in the overall series and leads the Bell series 37-32-3.
"My grandparents went here, my father went here, my cousin's uncles and everybody has gone here and they've had the bell all of the years that they went here so it just means I am close to my family when they were in high school," said Central HS Student Body President Kai Arriaga.
If you are looking to get vaccinated against Covid-19- there will be a mobile vaccine clinic at The Dutch Clark Stadium Parking lot from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. They will be offering the first and second doses and boosters--those who do get vaccinated will get a $20 concession stand gift card.
