Like they have 56 times before, Jamestown College and Valley City State will play for the Paint Bucket trophy on Saturday in Valley City.
Jamestown College has won the past four meetings, while Valley City State has a 29-27 record in the Paint Bucket series, which started in 1961 to promote sportsmanship within the football rivalry that dates back to 1914.
"You would like to think as long as both schools have football, but there is certainly no guarantee about that," Jamestown College head coach Bud Etzold said.
The future of the game has become somewhat cloudy due to the exodus of teams from the Dakota Athletic Conference. Minot State, Black Hills State, South Dakota Mines and Dakota State are leaving the conference after this season.
The remaining DAC teams - Jamestown College, Valley City State, Mayville State and Dickinson State - are scheduled to play each other twice next year in football.
ADVERTISEMENT
Beyond next season, however, both sides want to keep the longstanding rivalry up and running.
"I would hope we would find a way to play," said Valley City State athletic director Jack Denholm, in his first year. "I've heard it's pretty heated."
Valley City State head coach Dennis McCulloch, in his 17th season, has had a front row seat to that intensity the previous 16 years.
"When you think back at all the games, there are a lot of great memories of good games," McCulloch said. "It's usually a great game. It adds to a very competitive game."
Etzold and McCulloch both agree it's been a weird and bittersweet season in the DAC with the league heading toward extinction. This regular season is set to end on
Nov. 7 with the DAC Bowl in the Fargodome.
That's why the 58-year-old Etzold is focused on enjoying Saturday.
"I'm at the age where I don't buy green bananas anymore," Etzold cracked. "I don't think too far down the road.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I try to savor everything because you don't know how long anything is going to last."
Both teams have the same 3-5 overall record and 2-4 mark in the DAC this fall, meaning the winner moves into sole possession of fifth place in the league. The game, however, takes on a championship-type atmosphere no matter the circumstances.
The proximity of the schools, located around 40 miles apart, plays into the intensity. You have the private school (Jamestown College) vs. the public school (Valley City State) element. In addition, both coaches often compete to recruit the same players.
"No matter how the season is going, we're going to play a game that means a lot to both teams," said Etzold. "When you get older, tradition and those things mean more to you. It's probably harder on old folks than young folks."
Readers can reach Forum reporter Eric Peterson at (701) 241-5513.
Peterson's blogs can be found at www.areavoices.com
