While not the ‘Jug’ battle for ‘Penny’ takes place this week
Kari Gibb/MDN Bishop Ryan senior linebacker Drew Zwak (33) and Velva/Garrison/Drake-Anamoose senior quarterback Ben Schepp (10) will lead their teams into action this Friday, October 4, in the ‘Battle for the Penny’ that began a dozen years ago.
Kari Gibb/MDN Bishop Ryan senior linebacker Drew Zwak (33) and Velva/Garrison/Drake-Anamoose senior quarterback Ben Schepp (10) will lead their teams into action this Friday, October 4, in the ‘Battle for the Penny’ that began a dozen years ago.
Kari Gibb/MDN Bishop Ryan senior linebacker Drew Zwak (33) and Velva/Garrison/Drake-Anamoose senior quarterback Ben Schepp (10) will lead their teams into action this Friday, October 4, in the ‘Battle for the Penny’ that began a dozen years ago.
Kari Gibb/MDN Bishop Ryan senior linebacker Drew Zwak (33) and Velva/Garrison/Drake-Anamoose senior quarterback Ben Schepp (10) will lead their teams into action this Friday, October 4, in the ‘Battle for the Penny’ that began a dozen years ago.
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The oldest tradition of playing a rivalry game for a 'prize' dates back to 1909 when the Michigan Wolverines played rival Minnesota Gophers for an old Red Wing jug purchased by the Michigan team in 1903 – rumored to protect the team against 'water poisoning' by the local Gopher fans.
The 1903 game ended in a raucous 6-6 tie and the jug was left behind by the Wolverines and when Michigan asked for the jug back, the Gophers said 'win the game and you can have it back' and the tradition was born in 1909 with the next meeting.
The teams played for the 'Jug' for the 98th time last week. This week, Bishop Ryan and Velva/Garrison/Drake-Anamoose play for their own piece of history and the prize that goes with it.
Bishop Ryan will travel to Velva this Friday, October 4, for their annual battle for the Penny Trophy. This game is expected to be a close matchup, with the Lions undefeated and the Aggies having only one loss this season. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
This rivalry for the Penny Trophy began 12 years ago when the Aggie Foundation donated a giant wooden coin with the logos from each school for the winner to take home and display for all the students to see. Since then both schools have been excited to compete against each other to win the Penny.
While the 'Penny' is only 12 seasons young, the two teams have played more than 12 times. This rivalry has been played for 23 years. The rivalry game was added to both teams' schedules in 1997 when Bishop Ryan and Velva played in different divisions.
That year, both teams won the State Championship. Bishop Ryan defeated Watford City, 33-14, in AA and Velva bested Harvey 28-8 in A title. Velva beat Bishop Ryan that year 21-0.
Besides the 'Penny' in play, the game has significant meaning to the rankings for each team and seeding going forward as the playoffs approach. Velva is ranked at number two in the A rankings while Bishop Ryan is ranked third and undefeated.
These two teams have seen some of the same competition throughout the 2024 season. Both teams took victories against the Surrey Mustangs, Velva beating them earlier in the season by 60, and Bishop Ryan facing them later in the season beating them by 75.
Velva is returning this season with four seniors named First-Team All-State players in 2023. Quarterback Ben Schepp, running back Hank Bodine, wide receiver Reggie Bruner, and wide receiver Treyson Iglehart.
Bishop Ryan is returning with one previous First-Team All-State player, junior defensive lineman Cade Okeson.
Last year Velva claimed the Penny Trophy for the second year in a row after beating Bishop Ryan 40-12.