Vote for the Best Rivalry in the Midwest
Rally your family and friends to vote today! Don't let another rivalry take the grand prize.
Indianapolis, Ind.
Indianapolis, Ind.
History
A crosstown rivalry dating back to 1937, East vs. West, the Ben Davis and Warren Central game is always a must see. The two Indiana Class 5A powers play for bragging rights every year, with the overall record going to Warren Central, 51-31-3.
2012 Result
Ben Davis6
Warren Central3
Bismarck, N.D.
Bismarck, N.D.
History
Century opened in 1976 as the second public high school in Bismarck, creating a culture of parents who work in the same office but are on opposite sides at the Bismarck Community Bowl. This annual game draws more than 8,000 people - impressive considering the city's population is 60,000. Last year, the rivalry took another step when the teams met in the AAA state title game for the first time ever - Bismarck High won it.
2012 Result
Bismarck28
Century7
Brookfield, Mo.
Marceline, Mo.
History
A 30-pound brass bell has been awarded to the winner of this game since 1937, although the series dates back to Oct. 23, 1909. Nine miles of farm fields separate Brookfield and Marceline, but the entire area nearly rioted in 2004 when the Bell Game was temporarily canceled because of a scheduling snafu created when Marceline dropped down a classification, meaning it could no longer meet Brookfield in the districts. The issue consumed both towns for seven weeks until the Tri-Rivers Conference voted to allow Brookfield out of a league game, giving it a date to play a non-conference game against Marceline.
2012 Result
Brookfield20
Marceline0
Dodge City, Kan.
Garden City, Kan.
History
The two largest schools in Western Kansas - 50 miles apart - have played for The Hatchet since 1938, although the series dates back to 1903. Dodge City won the first game 34-0 and called Garden City poor sports in the local newspaper for not wanting to play a second game. So Garden City obliged and the towns threw a party together after the 0-0 tie. It wasn't so friendly from there on, as the Hatchet Trophy - which of course was stolen at one point - was allegedly born when it was declared the towns needed to bury the hatchet. The teams have played 110 times, with Dodge City holding a 71-34-5 advantage, which would make former Dodge City lawman Wyatt Earp quite proud.
2012 Result
Dodge City24
Garden City20
Eden Prairie, Minn.
Wayzata, Minn.
History
Eden Prairie and Wayzata are two of Minnesota's largest high schools. They share a reputation for having the state's best football facilities. And at least one of them have been in the Class AAAAA state championship each year since 2003, including 2011 when Eden Prairie beat Wayzata 13-3 for the state title. Needless to say, they don't like each other very much.
2012 Result
Eden Prairie21
Wayzata7
Green Bay, Wis.
Green Bay, Wis.
History
This rivalry is as much fun as it is intense. This season, the duo faced off for the 107th time (East beat West, 34-12). Green Bay East coach Brian Nast says the rivalry is so heated that during the 1920s, the National Guard would attend the game to protect the fans and teams.
2012 Result
Green Bay East 34
Green Bay West 12
Groton, S.D.
Aberdeen, S.D.
History
Private (Roncalli) vs. public (Groton), small town (Groton) vs. big town (Aberdeen), this one has a little of it all. Northeast Conference foes have played for high stakes in the last decade. Roncalli won Class 11B in 2005 and 2006, and Groton was the state runner-up in 2007 and 2008. In 2007-08, Groton avenged a regular-season loss to Roncalli in the postseason. When Roncalli and Groton meet, it's a big draw from several other surrounding towns as well.
2012 Result
Roncalli14
Groton13
Chicago, Ill.
Chicago, Ill.
History
With only five miles separating these two Chicago Catholic League rivals, Rita and Carmel battle every year for bragging rights. The rivalry dates back to 1924 and Mount Carmel controls the all-time series, 58-30-2.
2012 Result
Mount Carmel 27
St. Rita of Cascia0
Negaunee. Mich.
Marquette, Mich.
History
These two teams have squared off since 1894, as one of the longest rivalries in the state of Michigan. Every year these two teams battle for the Diamond Jubilee trophy. The series record goes to Negaunee, 68-57-11, but the last two victories went to Marquette.
2012 Result
Marquette Senior34
Negaunee26
Norfolk, Neb.
Pierce, Neb.
History
Pierce is basically a small suburb of Norfolk, a city of 25,000 that serves as the hub for Northeastern Nebraska. The schools play in Class C-1, the third-highest classification, and the history of success fuels the rivalry as much as proximity. Norfolk Catholic has won eight C-1 titles, beating Pierce in the finals twice (1999, 2010). Pierce has five state titles and faced Norfolk Catholic seven times in the postseason. The Mid-State Conference rivals began playing for a bucket - the brainchild of a local radio station - the past five years.
2012 Result
Pierce20
Norfolk Catholic19
West Des Moines, Iowa
West Des Moines, Iowa
History
This rivalry is the biggest in the state for not just football, but every sport. These two schools have dominated the state in football, boys and girls basketball, and baseball and softball as well.
2012 Result
Dowling Catholic27
Valley0
Massillon, Ohio
Canton, Ohio
History
Massillon-McKinley is the oldest rivalry in the state of Ohio. These teams have played every year since 1894 and the game has received national attention over the years as the best rivalry in all of high school football. Washington (Massillon) currently controls the series 65-52-5.
2012 Result
Washington28
McKinley19