Heritage Bowl to debut traveling trophy

<p dir="ltr"><span>The Heritage Bowl will have a prize to go along with the prestige.</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>Sparta High School Athletic Director Rich Williams confirmed to the Herald Tribune on Tuesday that a traveling trophy is being designed for the event, which honors Southern Illinois' second-oldest football rivalry between Chester and Sparta.</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>"It's a great idea," Williams said. "That's something the kids can look forward to every year and whichever school wins it can keep it for the next year."</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>Whenever the two schools meet on the gridiron again, the trophy would be on the line. Perhaps the most famous version of the traveling trophy concept is the NHL's Stanley Cup.</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>The trophy is being designed by Bill Timpner of The Trophy Room in Pinckneyville. Williams noted the trophy will honor Chester's 40-34 win in Heritage Bowl I in some way.</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>"It's just a good ol' fashioned county rivalry between two schools in the county," Williams said. "It gives one school bragging rights for the year."</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>Timpner said Tuesday he was still toying with the design elements of the trophy.</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>"I did (a traveling trophy) last year for a family reunion and they give it to the family that brings the most relatives," he said. </span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>The trophy is anticipated to be completed by Thursday.</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>"I've kinda toyed with the idea of reproducing some graphics," Timpner said. "Using a bulldog and a yellow jacket and some football elements."</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>Also Thursday, the Herald Tribune will debut its Gameday teaser video, "Fear," on its Facebook page.</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>Ticket prices for Thursday's game, scheduled for a 6 p.m. start, are $3 for adults and $2 for students. The game will be played at Sparta High School's Pierce Field.</span>