Players hustled onto the field, ready to claim the Victory Bell once again. The student section, clothed in all black for the occasion, cheered and yelled in hopes of winning the final game of the 2013 season against their school’s largest rival, just as students have in years past.

Ever since the year 1950, Revere High School’s football team has had one major goal—to beat Copley. The team prepared to play Copley in their last game of every season in addition to sporting “Beat Copley” t-shirts and holding pep rallies.

The rivalry between Revere and Copley began since both districts shared the area of Montrose. The two schools, being so close and similar to each other, have had a need to beat the other and bring their school pride.

Phil Heyn, history teacher and former Revere football player and coach, described the rivalry and explained why it started.

“It is two communities adjoining one another and sharing the district of Montrose; that causes tension,” Heyn said.

In 1968, the student councils of both schools jointly purchased a “Victory Bell” for $42.50. The bell still goes to the winner of the Revere-Copley football game each year. However, the loser receives “the crow,” which is supposed to stay in the athletic office or locker room. It has also been dubbed the “No Bell prize.” The crow is still around today and is currently at Copley High School.

Heyn said that the current rivalry between the schools’ football teams is a lot different from how it used to be.

“When I was a student it was more intense; there was more build up on and off the field. We just really wanted to beat them. Now, the two schools not playing a lot in youth sports has created some rivalries beyond Copley at an earlier age. They don’t have the chance to build up the tension until eighth grade,” Heyn said.

Although the intensity factor is different, Heyn still believes this rivalry between schools will last.

“There may not be the intensity that used to come with it, but there is still a huge pride factor,” Heyn said.

Bill Schumacher, the RHS athletic director, mentioned that the two schools’ administrators work with each other closely without existing tension.

“I believe it is a friendly rivalry, and more schools should have something like it. It should not be negative at this point,” Schumacher said.

In the past, issues have arisen due to the intensity of the rivalry. In the early 80’s, Copley students stole the bell from Revere; others spray painted fields and buildings. To prevent future conflict, both schools keep their stadium lights on through the night during the week of the Revere-Copley game.

This season, Revere took the Victory Bell back after three years, making it their 32 win in comparison to Copley’s total of 30 wins. Coach Mike Murphey talked about the highlights and importance of the game.

“Defensively at the end, there were two to three series in a row where we stopped them, and that was big for the kids. All year they just kept getting better, and it was good that they finished on a high note,” Murphey said.

Murphey praised all the players for their performance during the game.

“A lot of kids had their best games, including [senior] corner backs Dalton Bassak and Everett McGregor. The entire offense did a nice job,” Murphey said.

With just seconds left in the game, it was apparent that Revere had finally beat Copley. The bell was held high, shining above all the players and students who had rushed the field and symbolizing the team’s victory.