"The Battle for the Bell"
The Decade of the Nineties
1995-1999
"The 1995 Battle for the Bell"
Kannapolis-5 Concord-0
The Mud Bowl
"The TV-13 Game of the Week"
If you like defense the 65th Battle for the Bell game is for you. If you like rain and terrible field conditions this game is for you. If you are into shootouts you'd be better served to watch an episode of gunsmoke. The 65th meeting between Kannapolis, and Concord seemed to be a matchup that would have a 21-7, 28-10 ending, but this night was like no other. No other since 1950 when the Wonders and Spiders battled to a 0-0 tie. This game goes down in bell game history as one of the lowest scoring affairs between the two schools ever recorded. It wouldn't be until 8:10 left in the game before the scoreboard would see points. Chris Duplisea connects on a nineteen yard firldgoal after a twelve play fity seven yard drive that pulled the Wonders within scoring distance.
On the following possession Concord QB Anthony Gray would scramble right looking for an open receiver when he dropped the ball. Gray would fall on the ball in the end zone giving the Wonders two points on the safety
A familiar scene as the Concord Spiders exchange the victory bell with the Wonders at the conclusion of the game.
Wonder head coach Bruce Hardin talks to Steve Gantt along with player of the game Chris Duplisea at the games conclusion.
"Real 4 Wheel Drive Mudders"
"The 1996 Battle for the Bell"
Kannapolis-0 Concord-27
"The 1997 Battle for the Bell"
Kannapolis-33 Concord-14
"The TV-13 Game of the Week"
"The 1998 Battle for the Bell"
Kannapolis-28 Concord-10
"The 1999 Battle for the Bell"
Kannapolis-10 Concord-7
"The TV-13 Game of the Week"
_In the waning moments of the
first quarter stand in quarterback Josh Lee breaks off a perfectly
executed option and picks up yards to get the Wonders into Spider
territory. The Wonders would score the first points of the game on this
drive.
_With 11:12 remaining in the
first half Wonder quarterback Josh Lee scores the first points of the
game on this four yard QB keeper on 4th and four. Rush Rollins would add
the PAT to make the score Kannapolis-7 Concord-0.
_With 2:18 left in the third
quarter the Spiders make it a new ball game as Spider runningback Johnny
Mack Johnson scores from five yards out on a pitch from QB Jamel
Jackson. Kannapolis-7 Concord-7
_On a gutsy call by Bruce
Hardin the Wonders go for it on 4th and 3 to extend the drive for the
possible go ahead points. Wonder back Marcello Stanback takes a pitch
from Josh Lee and bolts right to get the three yards for the first down.
The Wonders would be content to run the clock off by running the ball
setting kicker Rush Rollins up for the winning field goal. Rollins kick
strikes the inside of the right post and goes through giving the Wonders the final points to seal the Spiders fate. Kannapolis-10 Concord-7.
Head coach Bruce Hardin gives his final thoughts on the 1999 Battle for the Bell game.