From popcorn machines and skillets to swords and cannons, here are 11 Lafayette area rivalry trophies every high school sports fan should know about.
WEST LAFAYETTE ― The Battle of the Sword game is set to commence with McCutcheon football hosting Harrison for bragging rights this Friday, Sept. 27.
With the Battle of the Sword going down this week, it begs the question: what other traveling trophies exist in the Lafayette area?
It turns out, there's quite a few with their own unique history.
From football to volleyball and even basketball, one thing that trophies have done for generations is tie communities together through the gleeful times and heartbreak.
Here's a look at 11 traveling trophies every sports fan should know about.
1. Battle of the Sword (McCutcheon vs Harrison football)
Harrison has held the prized Sword since 2018, winning seven consecutive matchups. The Sword was first contested in 1976, according to Harrison athletic director Jerry Galema. The two teams have played 48 games with Harrison holding the overall series lead 28-20 with one no contest due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
2. Bishop's Cannon (Guerin Catholic vs. Central Catholic football)
One of the pillar trophies of Indiana is the prized Bishop's Cannon that is fought for seasonally between Guerin Catholic and Central Catholic. The two schools have split the series over the past four seasons, with Central Catholic taking the prize in a comeback victory 22-21 last season.
3. Bacon Bowl Skillet (Carroll vs. Delphi football)
What happens when you combine bacon and football? You get the Bacon Bowl, and with it, the Bacon Bowl Skillet that Carroll has won five straight seasons after beating Delphi 45-6 on Sept. 12. The Bacon Bowl Skillet, a large, black frying pan, became the traveling trophy between the two teams in 1994 to celebrate the pork packing heritage of Carroll County. It has become a weeklong celebration for the two communities of Carroll and Delphi.
4. Cracker Barrel trophy (Rensselaer vs. Kankakee Valley football)
There's the Old Oaken Bucket, but what about a Cracker Barrel? That's the name of the trophy contested yearly between these schools, with Rensselaer retaining the Cracker Barrel trophy in five straight seasons since after defeating Kankakee Valley in week one 28-21.
5. War for the Oar (Delphi vs. Twin Lakes football)
Delphi sure loves its rivalry games. While there was a five-year intermission between the two football programs between 2018-2022, Delphi and Twin Lakes played an annual football game beginning in 1948. The first known official was dated on Oct. 23, 1963, when Delphi outlasted Twin Lakes 26-19.
6. Popcorn Bowl (Twin Lakes vs. Benton Central girls basketball)
Popcorn and basketball in the dead of winter in Indiana go together like a hot dog at a baseball game during the spring. It's a tradition that is wholly felt when Twin Lakes and Benton Central battle each other for a popcorn machine trophy.
7. Chicken Bucket (Rensselaer vs. Kankakee Valley volleyball)
Two rivals that love their trophies. Volleyball is no exception when the Chicken Bucket is on the line.
8. Newton County trophy (North Newton vs. South Newton, every sport)
While the population of Newton County totals less than 15,000 people, the noise and passion for sports is still very prevalent. Each sport carries its own trophy, with football being the most popular of all. North Newton ended its three-game losing streak to South Newton earlier this season, defeating the Rebels 14-6 on Sept. 12.
9. The Battle of the Tippy (Harrison vs. McCutcheon girls volleyball)
Rivalries don't get better than the yearly classics put on by Harrison and McCutcheon, who have produced volleyball stars seemingly season after season. From McCutcheon All-American Chloe Chicoine of Purdue and now Louisville to Harrison's Riley Whitlock now at Ball State, dozens of successful Division I athletes have come out of these successful programs. Harrison won the Tippy Trophy in five sets this season on Sept. 18.
10. The Golden Helmet trophy (Fountain Central vs. Covington football)
While still brand new to the history of Lafayette area trophies, the impact of The Golden Helmet is felt. Started in 2023, the Golden Helmet started as a way to celebrate the two schools headed by longtime head coach Herb King, who's currently at Fountain Central, and King's former assistant Justin Wheeler, who now helms Covington. The winning team holds the Golden Helmet trophy for a year. Along with a Golden Helmet, the two teams share a meal together at the Sportsmanship Banquet, where a guest speaker is invited to talk about the virtues of fairness.
11. The Cow Bell Trophy (McCutcheon vs. Harrison flag football)
Announced for the first time this week was the Cow Bell trophy. The idea of having a rivalry trophy was a team effort on Harrison and McCutcheon's part competing in the inaugural season of high school flag football in Indiana. Coincidentally, the two head coaches, Brad Knoy of McCutcheon and Brian Knoy of Harrison, are brothers.
Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at [email protected], on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Learn about 11 Lafayette area high school rivalry trophies
Category: General Sports
