[bucslover68]

Belfry-Russell certainly goes back a long time, especially to when the district was decided basically by the 3rd game of the year. By design, only one team made te playoffs per district, and Johnson Central wasn't that strong then. The loser of the Belfry-Russell game effectively was done with post season.
1978 was a big game, Russell winning 7-6 and subsequently the state championship (I think). Belfry won 6-0 in 1979, and eventually made their first state championship game.
One particular game that packed the stadium/fences/rooftops was the 2004 state semifinal game played at Belfry. The last game played at Vipperman Stadium sent Belfry to their second consecutive championship.
Yes, all of that is in the past. But I think older Belfry fans have a great deal of respect for Russell and their history. And the competition when the teams play each other.

Saw those games you mentioned. Russell ranks at the top of my list of programs I respect. They are also near the top of teams I want to beat as well.