Latest chapter in G-R, Grundy football feud may be its last

GRUNDY CENTER – Separated by nine miles of road on Iowa Highway 175, Reinbeck and Grundy Center's high school football programs have been locked in a rivalry that has become one of the state's longest and most persistent.
 
For 66 years, the Spartans and Rams battled for bragging rights in their southeastern corner of Grundy County. When the proud community of Gladbrook consolidated with Reinbeck for the 1987 season, the sides may have changed, but the intensity remained when the Rebels came to town.
 
After 97 memorable years, this rivalry is expected to experience its first disruption as Gladbrook-Reinbeck prepares to drop down to 8-man football for the 2018 season. Even if the rivalry restarts down the road, it's unlikely both teams will play 98 consecutive times ever again.
 
But the last hurrah will not be without its share of fanfare, as both school districts have invited anyone who was a former player, coach or cheerleader in this long-standing tradition – whether Spartan, Ram or Rebel ­– to join together on the field at Grundy Center prior to Friday's game.
 
A drone will fly overhead to take a photo of those who attend the pre-game ceremony, capturing the moment in the history books.
 
Then, once the field is clear, the 98th chapter will be written.
 
"If you're talking straight football, it's a football game," G-R coach John Olson said. "It's a really good thing for our fans and both communities, and we want this to be a big deal for our fans, but then we want that to stop when the game starts."
 
In recent years, the Rebels have had the advantage in what has become known as the "Battle for the Bell," named after the traveling trophy awarded to the winner. G-R has won 16 of the last 19 meetings between the two teams, though the Spartans came razor-close to the Bell last season, falling 7-6 to the Rebels, who went on to finish an undefeated season as Class A state champions.
 
It's an easy game for both teams to get motivated for, especially to kick off a 2017 season where both are eager for a strong start.
 
"With all the pomp and circumstance behind it, it's going to be like a homecoming game," Grundy Center football coach Brent Thoren said. "We're just trying to keep our guys dialed in. … There's plenty of motivation from both sides, and everybody's got something to prove."
The full story is available in the Aug. 24 Grundy Register. See the banner below for a special offer for football fans looking to get their fall fix.