Bell rings blue for the 8th straight year as Central blanks Centennial in historic Bell Game

The 2026 edition of the Bell Game between Pueblo Central and Pueblo Centennial took place on Friday at the historic Dutch Clark Stadium. The rivalry game began with a moment of silence in remembrance of the 25th anniversary of September 11. The Wildcats entered the game with a 1-1 record, having just beaten Discovery Canyon 22-21, while the Bulldogs came in after two consecutive shutout losses and were looking to bounce back.

The Wildcats had a seven-game winning streak coming into the matchup, and they maintained that momentum as they started strong with a 15-yard touchdown run by Dontez Maes, leading 8-0. Sonny Vigil added another score later in the first quarter, pushing the score to 16-0. Maes scored again in the second quarter, and Cordell Hayes scored twice in the second quarter, making the final score 30-0 at halftime.

The Wildcats went on to win their eighth consecutive Bell Game 43-0. Centennial's head coach Tracy Swearingen noted that the defense had not allowed big plays, forcing two turnovers. Although the offense struggled to maintain consistent momentum, it had fortunate moments. Pueblo Central coach Kris Cotterman praised his young team, noting their love for football and the excitement of watching them grow.

The Wildcats now seek to build on their momentum as they enter the crucial phase of their season. Cotterman emphasized the importance of continuing to improve as they head into the heart of the season. Central's win gives them a 2-1 record, while Centennial drops to 0-3. The Wildcats will face off against Pueblo County on the road on September 18, while Centennial will start their league season next week at home against Littleton on September 19, both games starting at 7 p.m.