There are rivalries, and then there’s Montague vs. Whitehall. Two towns, one little bridge, and a hatred that runs so deep nobody can even agree when it actually started. Around here it’s called the “Battle of the Bell,” and it’s not just a game — it’s a yearly war that honestly could split families, friendships, and probably a couple backyard barbecues.
This thing started way back in 1901. Thanksgiving Day. Montague and Whitehall lined up, with more grit than gear — legend has it there was literally one helmet to go around. The game ended in a 0-0 tie after a fight broke out and both teams stormed off before the final whistle. That was the first chapter. More than a century later, not much has changed. It’s still physical, it’s still personal, and for both towns, it’s the one game on the schedule that matters most.
By the mid-1950s, the rivalry gained its iconic prize: the Bell. Nobody’s totally sure who introduced it, but Montague coach Jack Bendelow swore it showed up in 1955. Since then, the Bell has been more than a trophy. It’s bragging rights you can see and hear. Win it, ring it, and proudly display it in your halls for the next year.
Montague leads the series on paper (64-48-2), but don’t let that fool you. Since 1950, the matchup has been razor close. The average score? Montague 18.1, Whitehall 17.9. Over 100 years of games, and it’s basically a dead heat. Twenty-five games have been decided by a touchdown or less. Seven came down to a single point. You couldn’t script drama like that if you tried.
The crowds back it up. In 1958, official attendance was listed at 2,370, but locals swear it was closer to 5,000. In 2020, when COVID kept people out of the stands, more than 5,000 tuned in online to watch Montague win a double-overtime classic on Andrew Kooi’s clutch field goal. Two small towns with a combined population just over 5,300 drawing that kind of attention — it tells you all you need to know.
Last year, Whitehall turned the screws. The Vikings dominated and rolled to a 42-7 win to keep the Bell. Once again, the hardware stayed painted in Viking red, while Montague was left to stew for another year.
That’s not to say Montague hasn’t had its run. The Wildcats have owned the rivalry in recent memory, holding the Bell for 18 of the last 21 years. But Whitehall has fought back, snatching it in 2021 and hanging onto it since. This season, the Vikings are 1-0 in the West Michigan Conference and 1-1 overall, while Montague is still searching for its first win at 0-1 in the league and 0-2 overall. Records don’t matter much here, though. History shows this game ignores standings.
Tonight, the rivalry festivities begin with boys soccer, as Montague makes the short trip across the bridge to Whitehall. Next week, the focus shifts to football, when the Vikings head back into Wildcat territory for the annual Battle for the Bell. And to cap it all off, volleyball takes center stage on the 30th at Whitehall.
Three sports, one rivalry, and a whole lot of pride on the line. Buckle up — we’re about to ride the rivalry rollercoaster.
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