photo by: Joe Lovell

Martins Ferry running back Walkquem Cox carries the ball during the Purple Riders’ game last week against Wheeling Central.

BELLAIRE — It’s a game which requires no introduction– though you could write a lengthy one.

Friday will be the 122nd meeting between the Bellaire Big Reds (3-6) and the Martins Ferry Purple Riders (6-3) for another rendition of one of the oldest rivalries in the Buckeye State. The two teams will battle for the SPARKY Trophy which currently resides in Martins Ferry, winner of last year’s contest.

Currently, though, Bellaire still leads the all-time head-to-head, dating back to 1905, with the Big Reds holding a 59-55-7 advantage.

“The SPARKY Trophy has been around for quite some time,” Bellaire head coach Mark Bonar said. “It’s a really nice thing. People have even tried to copy our rivalry, but this is a great rivalry, the end of season. We have a special place for it in our hallway and it’s kind of empty. We want to get it back. We want to make sure that we fill that place up in our hallway. So it gives us another reason to go forward and gives us a good reason to play the last game. And, you know, we’re excited about that.”

“As much as you try to keep it, you know, with all the hoopla and stuff that goes along with this rivalry, you have to be sure your kids are focused on the right things,” Martins Ferry head coach Justin Kropka said. “It’s just like Ohio State-Michigan or any great traditional rivalry. I mean, there’s always a little extra intensity in practice. There’s a little bit of, everybody’s on edge a little more. It’s a special rivalry and as much as we try to keep the routine the same, there’s always going to be something special about this game.”

The game also has substantial playoff implications for Martins Ferry, currently ranked 13th in OHSAA Division VI Region 23. The top 12 teams in each region advance to the postseason.

However, Kropka is keeping his team focused solely on Friday.

“To be honest with you, I haven’t allowed even a word of that this week,” Kropka said. “Because we want to focus on Bellaire, give that rivalry our fullest attention. So we haven’t even talked about the playoffs.”

Bellaire has been eliminated from the playoff race, adding a little more importance to an already-important outing.

“It’s the last game,” Bonar said. “We know it’s our last game, and not a lot of teams get to win their last game. We have a chance to win our last game and put a nice finishing touch on the season.”

Martins Ferry has found success this season through a grinding run game built around sophomore standout Walkquem Cox, who has rushed for 1,199 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. Bellaire, meanwhile, has seen their passing game thrive, with junior quarterback Michael Dippel having thrown for 1,956 yards and 18 touchdowns.

“I think they’ve had some tough breaks,” Kropka said. “That record could be flipped. They could as easily be 6-3 as they are 3-6. They’ve had some bad breaks and obviously had some rough luck with injuries. But I tell you what, when I see a team come together like they have and get better on film– they got better every week. And even after they lost one of the best players in the valley, in my opinion, what a compliment to Coach Bonar that those guys go out there and lay it on the line every week. And like I said, that’s the best compliment you could give a coach. Is that no matter what happens, they’ve faced some adversity and their kids go lay it on the line every week.”

“They have some really nice athletes and they use them well,” Bonar said of Martins Ferry.

In a game with well over 100 years of history, there aren’t many ‘firsts’ left, but Friday will mark a first for rivalry matchup– the first time the game will be played on a Friday night on Nelson Field in Bellaire. Bellaire, who had traditionally played their home games on Saturday, have played some home games on Friday since installing new lighting last year.

“It’ll be the first Friday night in Bellaire,” Bonar affirmed. “It’s been hard to get used to playing Friday nights in Bellaire, but yeah, this will be the first time on Friday night at home. It’s not a big deal. We almost had to do it because of the weather, moving the game up and all, but it’s becoming semi-normal to play on Friday nights now.”

The two teams are in a dead-heat, 5-5 over the last 10 SPARKY Trophy games.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on Nelson Field.