Hometown Clinton - Winter 2015

B attl e
of the Bell continues
the
Abigail Walker
It’s a rivalry that goes back decades and
continues to be a notable part of the
Choctaw football season. The Heritage
Bowl is the annual game between Mississippi
College and Delta State University
that brings fans together to support their
team and give back to their community.
Known as “The Battle of the Bell,” the
Heritage Bowl started in 1935. According
to David Nichols, the athletic communications
director at Mississippi College,
MC kicked off the competition with a 33-0
victory the first year. From 1935-1947, the
Choctaws won four straight games in the
series, but the Statesmen thundered back
with 11 wins in 12 games from 1948-1977.
“Overall, the teams have played 35 times
with Delta State leading the series 18-15-
2,” said Nichols. “The Choctaws’ longest
winning streak came from 1978-82 with
five straight victories. MC also won four
straight from 1990-93.”
During the 1995-1996 academic year,
when MC moved from Division II to Division
III, the series between the two teams
came to a halt. But the rivalry started up
again with full force for the 2013-14 school
year once MC made the transition back to
Division II. That first year of the renewed
Bowl, Delta State got a 27-3 win over MC
in Cleveland.
MC and Delta State faced off once again
during this year’s Heritage Bowl game,
which was held at Robinson-Hale Stadium
on MC’s campus Nov. 14 and featured on
ESPN3. However, the Choctaws missed the
win and closed out their 2015 season with
a 37-29 loss to the Statesmen.
But the Heritage Bowl consists of more
than just the annual game. During halftime,
football players from the 1969-1971
year, as well as the 25 th anniversary team
from 1990, were recognized. After the
game, a dinner celebrating Coach Williams
Era (1972-1991) was also held on the field
house roof.
In addition, both schools competed
in a blood drive sponsored annually by
Mississippi Blood Services. Each school
encouraged students, faculty, and staff
to donate blood for those in need. Last
fall, MC gave 92 units of blood to win over
Delta State. This year, Mississippi College
was once again declared the winner with
89 units to Delta State’s 54. MC received
the MBS-Heritage Bowl trophy at the
game that Saturday.
Photos by
Mississippi College Athletic Department
22 • Winter 2015 Hometown Clinton • 23