Bell Game rewind

Friday night's Bell Game lived up to advance billing. A rejuvenated Victor Valley had rival Apple Valley on the ropes, but missed on a 2-point conversion with 2:15 left, losing 29-28.

The Sun Devils then picked up two first downs to run out the clock. After the final seconds ticked off the clock, the Apple Valley players rushed to The Bell in the end zone area and hoisted it. They paraded it in front of their legion of orange-clad fans and then into the middle of the field. Players and fans bounced up and down on the Newton T. Bass Stadium turf as if they were Cameron Crazies.

Immediately after the loss, a few Jackrabbits sank to their knees, but were quickly picked up by teammates. There was no need for anyone to hang their head after a very spirited game.

I had not covered a Bell Game in a while (late 1990s?) and I was curious to see how many people would turn out. Silverado has eaten into Victor Valley's support base and Granite HIlls into Apple Valley's.

Apple Valley had a ton of people there and Victor Valley had a late-arriving crowd. My estimate was 6,500, though my old newspaper in the High Desert thought considerably higher.

Overall, it was a successful evening, with Apple Valley winning its fifth consecutive Bell Game and Victor Valley showing it has the young talent to be a threat in '09.

Story tips? Contact John Murphy at 909-633-4829 or berdooman@aol.com