The tradition of honoring outstanding players in the annual Bell Game football match-up between Liberty and Freedom high schools continued Feb. 13 when four standouts from the intra-district rivalry were honored by the Kiwanis Club of Brentwood. District administrators, coaches and athletic directors from the two schools and families of the honorees were treated to breakfast, and the top offensive and defensive players from each squad each received a $250 scholarship.

Recipients of this year’s awards were Jeff Hendricks (outstanding defensive player for Freedom), Michael Diaz (Liberty offense), Dallin Moravec (Liberty defense), Ryan Rodriguez (Freedom offense) and Kiwanis Bell Game Chairman Len DelChiaro. Hendricks told the crowd his plans included playing football at LMC and a possible apprenticeship as an electrician; Moravec will join the Marine Reserve and attend college; Rodriguez plans to play college football and study communications; and Diaz will suit up for LMC and hopes to eventually transfer to a four-year college.

The 2008 Bell Game, held Nov. 14 at Liberty’s Ohmstede Stadium, was the 11th face-off between the two schools. Freedom has won seven of those contests, including a convincing 41-15 victory in last year’s tilt.

Kiwanis’ participation in the Bell Game festivities each year includes a pre-game luncheon for members of both teams, at which commemorative hats and T-shirts are given to participants.