Ding dong
On paper, Friday's Bell Game between Apple Valley and host Victor Valley looks like a blowout. It may well be. But in the High Desert, it's still all about the bell, as former Jackrabbit running back/defensive back Carl Henderson will attest.
Henderson was one of the smarter players around back in the mid-1990s and he's still sharp, as his recollections of the 1994 and '96 Rabbit Bell Game victories attest.
Wrote Henderson via e-mail:
"The 94 Bell Game - went into double overtime and Victor came out victorious 29-28 in front of about 5000 fans at Ray Moore stadium... I was a sophomore that game. Maurice Brown ran in the two point conversion in the last play from scrimmage to win the game. The Fans poured out of the stadium... The Bell was ours. That was a great game. Only to be compared to the 96 bell game.
"In 96, my senior season, it was a dog fight as well. Victor was loaded on both sides of the ball, Apple had some athletes (they never can compare to victor) and it was all the big boys' senior year. Victor: Keith Dawson, Charles Stinson, C. Henderson... Apple: Larry Hankton, Chad Neilson etc... Apple was winning late in the fourth quarter after Larry Hankton broke a long run down Apple's sideline... It looked bad for victor until we orchestrated a game winning drive capped off by a Peterson to Dawson pass in the End Zone... All hail Victor Valley 19-16.
"Now 94 was exciting, but 96 is right there with it. Take your pic.
"I'll be at the bell game this year in my letterman. Haven't witnessed a bell game since 1996 when I played in it. Go Victor."
Thanks for the stroll down memory lane, Carl. Animals rights folks may look askance at your description of the '96 game as a "dogfight" - although this dog gets your drift.
If coach Eudy gives you the call Friday night, be ready to go in.
-0-
Hey, what about you Sun Devil fans? Apple Valley leads this series 25-13, including two forfeit victories. What was your favorite Bell Game? Who's gonna be ringing that thing tonight?
Henderson is correct! The 1994 Bell Game was one of the best ever played! The game was decided in the first over time, not double. Maurice Brown did run the two point conversion in to win the game! That was also the same Maurice Brown who was academically ineligible, and Victor had to forfeit their wins that year. I remember it like it was yesterday! I was also a part of that historic night. I was on the other side, a two way starter wearing ORANGE and WHITE! I to will be at the game tonight. The only difference is now I'm a Coach for the ORANGE and WHITE. Four years in a row is a great accomplishment! GO SUNDEVILS! DING DONG! #56
Prep-dog covered that '94 bell game for the Daily Press. Tried to interview Maurice Brown afterward and jotted down a few comments before getting hit by a wave of joyous Rabbit fans. The dog was sent flying and landed in a heap on the soggy Ray Moore Stadium turf. It was a first. Still remember defensive coordinator Frank Pulice (now head coarch) bent over at the waist after watching Brown bounce off 3 of his defenders into the end zone. It was like Mike Tyson socked Frank in the gut. The details of Brown are hazy now ... He didn't play for VVHS after that season and I think he was in Tracy (NorCal) for a while. He might have played a little there. Good ballplayer. Those were fun times. Best of luck to both teams tonight.