SERIES QUICK FACTS
Overall Record: 48-43-3
Matt Theobald (HC '96) vs. FC: 6-3
Mike Leonard (HC '84) vs. HC: 13-2
Hanover at home (since 2010): 2-5
Franklin at home (since 2010): 4-4
Current Streak: HC, 3 game
Longest HC win streak: 14, 1942-1958
Longest FC win streak: 13, 2005-2017
Last Hanover win: 31-27, 2024
Last Franklin win: 27-16, 2021
Largest margin of victory (HC): 51-0, 1948
Largest margin of victory (FC): 76-0, 1919
ALL-TIME SERIES SCORES
*Year - Bell Game Winner, Final Score
| 1898 - Hanover, 18-11 |
1899 - Franklin, 17-0 |
1900 - Hanover, 16-6 |
| 1900 - Tie, 5-5 |
1901 - Hanover, 6-0 |
1901 - Franklin, 6-5 |
| 1902 - Franklin, 47-0 |
1903 - Franklin, 12-0 |
1906 - Hanover, 10-6 |
| 1908 - Tie, 8-8 |
1908 - Hanover, 17-6 |
1909 - Hanover, 31-5 |
| 1911 - Franklin, 15-0 |
1912 - Franklin, 28-3 |
1913 - Franklin, 6-0 |
| 1914 - Hanover, 14-13 |
1915 - Franklin, 74-0 |
1916 - Franklin, 72-7 |
| 1917 - Franklin, 21-3 |
1918 - Franklin, 14-6 |
1919 - Franklin, 76-0 |
| 1920 - Franklin, 34-0 |
1921 - Franklin, 7-0 |
1922 - Tie, 0-0 |
| 1923 - Franklin, 40-0 |
1937 - Franklin, 12-0 |
1938 - Hanover, 19-13 |
| 1939 - Hanover, 13-7 |
1940 - Hanover, 7-0 |
1941 - Franklin, 13-0 |
| 1942 - Hanover, 12-7 |
1946 - Hanover, 14-0 |
1947 - Hanover, 20-6 |
| 1948 - Hanover, 51-0 |
1949 - Hanover, 54-14 |
1950 - Hanover, 40-7 |
| 1951 - Hanover, 21-0 |
1952 - Hanover, 27-7 |
1953 - Hanover, 19-7 |
| 1954 - Hanover, 47-14 |
1955 - Hanover, 34-19 |
1956 - Hanover, 35-14 |
| 1957 - Hanover, 28-13 |
1958 - Hanover, 13-6 |
1959 - Franklin, 19-13 |
| 1960 - Franklin, 32-0 |
1961 - Hanover, 20-19 |
1962 - Franklin, 21-20 |
| 1963 - Franklin, 20-0 |
1964 - Franklin, 34-7 |
1965 - Franklin, 33-28 |
| 1966 - Franklin, 21-20 |
1967 - Franklin, 14-8 |
1968 - Hanover, 27-12 |
| 1969 - Hanover, 30-7 |
1970 - Franklin, 21-14 |
1971 - Franklin, 27-7 |
| 1988 - Franklin, 34-13 |
1989 - Hanover, 49-16 |
1990 - Hanover, 47-33 |
| 1991 - Hanover, 34-31 |
1992 - Hanover, 31-7 |
1993 - Franklin, 41-28 |
| 1994 - Hanover, 49-42 |
1995 - Hanover, 26-22 |
1996 - Hanover, 27-14 |
| 1997 - Hanover, 19-6 |
1998 - Hanover, 41-20 |
1999 - Hanover, 27-10 |
| 2000 - Hanover, 34-17 |
2001 - Hanover, 54-6 |
2002 - Hanover, 57-12 |
| 2003 - Hanover, 33-24 |
2004 - Hanover, 24-7 |
2005 - Franklin, 45-15 |
| 2006 - Franklin, 35-10 |
2007 - Franklin, 55-14 |
2008 - Franklin, 34-0 |
| 2009 - Franklin, 42-28 |
2010 - Franklin, 48-25 |
2011 - Franklin, 40-15 |
| 2012 - Franklin, 58-29 |
2013 - Franklin, 59-21 |
2014 - Franklin, 49-33 |
| 2015 - Franklin, 53-13 |
2016 - Franklin, 38-21 |
2017 - Franklin, 56-14 |
| 2018 - Hanover, 23-20 |
2019 - Hanover, 27-21 |
Spring 2021 - Hanover, 56-21 |
| 2021 - Franklin, 27-16 |
2022 - Hanover, 24-3 |
2023 - Hanover, 36-17 |
| 2024 - Hanover, 31-27 |
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VICTORY BELL THROUGH THE YEARS
The 2025 Hanover-Franklin game marks the 95th meeting all-time between the two schools, and the 69th-annual battle for the Victory Bell. The Panthers currently hold a slight 48-42-3 advantage in the overall series, with Hanover holding a 41-27 advantage in Bell games. The 2025 meeting will also mark the 38th consecutive meeting, extending the longest streak in series history.
The Victory Bell has been awarded to the winner of the rivalry contest since 1938. The idea of a trophy for the winner of the annual game was presented by Hanover's "Bat Club," a non-athletic group of male students on campus that wanted to improve school spirit.
Hanover's longest winning streak, 14, lasted from 1942-1958. The Panthers also posted wins in the Victory Bell matchup in 15 of 16 tries from 1989 through the 2004 season, which also included 11 consecutive triumphs. The Blue and Red's last series victory came during the 2024 season, when the team won 31-27.
Franklin won 13 straight meetings until the 2018 season, extending a program record for most consecutive wins in the series. The Grizzlies notched a 56-14 victory at Hanover in 2017. The 2017 game also featured state-wide coverage, as the IndyStar did a story on the rivalry, specifically the Victory Bell itself. The IndyStar also featured the rivalry in the week leading up to the 2018 matchup, revealing the origins of the Bell.
VICTORY BELL, LAST TIME...
Both teams entered with a winning record: Franklin 5-4, Hanover 5-4 (Nov. 13, 2021)
Both teams entered with a losing record: Franklin 4-5, Hanover 4-5 (Nov. 12, 2022)
Most points scored by Hanover in single game: 57, 57-12 HC (1948)
Most scored by Franklin in a single game: 76, 76-0 FC (1919)
Most combined points scored in a single game: 91, 49-42 HC (1994)
Fewest combined points scored in a single game: 0, 0-0 Tie (1922)
Hanover held Franklin scoreless: 21-0 (Oct. 6, 1951)
Franklin held Hanover scoreless: 34-0 (Nov. 15, 2008)
Either team scored on a safety: Franklin (Nov. 14, 2015)
Either team scored on a punt return: Franklin, Austin Garrell, 50 yards (Nov. 10, 2007)
Either team scored on an interception return: Franklin, Partrick Sheller, 7 yards (Nov. 10, 2007)
Either team scored on a fumble return: Hanover, Ricky Windell, 0 yards (Nov. 15, 2014)
Either team scored on a 40-plus yard field goal: Hanover, Drew Starck, 52 yards (Nov. 16, 2002)
Either team had a player make two field goals in a game: Hanover, Ben Wheeler, 31 & 35 yards (Nov. 15, 2014)
Hanover kick return for a touchdown: Daniel Passafiume, 84 yards (Nov. 13, 2010)
Franklin kick return for a touchdown: Kile Stogner, 83 yards (Nov. 15, 2014)
Hanover quarterback to pass for 300 yards: Eian Roudebush, 302 yards (Nov. 16, 2024)
Hanover quarterback to pass for 400 yards: Chase Lightfoot, 505 yards (Nov. 15, 2014)
Hanover quarterback to pass for 500 yards: Chase Lightfoot, 505 yards (Nov. 15, 2014)
Hanover quarterback to pass for three touchdowns: Chase Lightfoot, 3 touchdowns (Nov. 12, 2016), Eian Roudebush, 3 touchdowns (Nov. 16, 2024)
Hanover quarterback to pass for four touchdowns: Chase Lightfoot, 4 touchdowns (Nov. 15, 2014)
Hanover quarterback to pass for five touchdowns: Terry Peebles, 6 touchdowns (Nov. 12, 1994)
Franklin quarterback to pass or 300 yards: Kai Ross, 310 yards (Nov. 11, 2024)
Franklin quarterback to pass or 400 yards: Chase Burton , 532 yards (Nov. 12, 2016)
Franklin quarterback to pass or 500 yards: Chase Burton , 532 yards (Nov. 12, 2016)
Franklin quarterback to pass for three touchdowns: Kai Ross, 3 touchdowns (Nov. 13, 2021)
Franklin quarterback to pass for four touchdowns: Chase Burton, 5 touchdowns (Nov. 12, 2016)
Franklin quarterback to pass for five touchdowns: Chase Burton, 5 touchdowns (Nov. 12, 2016)
Hanover player to had three receiving touchdowns: N/A*
Hanover player had 100 yards receiving: Hunter Eads, 130 yards (Nov. 12, 2022)
Hanover player had 200 yards receiving: Ricky Windell, 200 yards (Nov. 15, 2014)
Hanover player caught 10 or more passes: Layne Taylor, 10-146-0 (Nov. 12, 2016)
Hanover player caught 15 or more passes: ^Daniel Passaflume, 25-153-2 (Nov. 14, 2009)^
Franklin player to had three receiving touchdowns: Kyle Linville, 3 touchdowns (Nov. 12, 2011)
Franklin player had 100 yards receiving: Owen Wright, 110 yards (Nov. 11, 2024)
Franklin player had 200 yards receiving: N/A*
Franklin player caught 10 or more passes: Matt Zmich, 10-101-3 (Nov. 13, 2010)
Franklin player caught 15 or more passes: N/A*
Hanover player had three rushing touchdowns: Steve Kunselman, 3 touchdowns (Nov. 10, 1990)
Hanover player rushed for 100 yards: Austin Oppel, 144 yards (Nov. 12, 2022)
Hanover player rushed for 200 yards: Cliff Johnson, 214 yards (Nov. 14, 1992)
Franklin player had three rushing touchdowns: N/A*
Franklin player rushed for 100 yards: Reece Craig, 140 yards (Nov. 12, 2011)
Franklin player rushed for 200 yards: Austin Grunden, 217 yards (Nov. 16, 2019)
Hanover player had 200 all-purpose yards: Layne Taylor, 273 yards (Nov. 12, 2016)
Franklin player had 200 all-purpose yards: Cory Fogle, 283 yards (Nov. 10, 2007)
Hanover player had 10 total tackles: Garron Jenkins, 10 tackles (Nov. 16, 2024)
Hanover player had 15 total tackles: Brandon Foster, 17 tackles (Nov. 16 2013)
Hanover player had two sacks: Devonte Hardiman, 3 sacks (Nov. 16, 2019)
Hanover player had two interceptions: N/A*
Franklin player had 10 total tackles: Keegan O'Neill, 12 tackles (Nov. 16, 2024)
Franklin player had 15 total tackles: Stan Baelz, 15 tackles (Nov. 16, 1996)
Franklin player had two sacks: Keaton Lyons, 2 sacks (Nov. 10, 2012)
Franklin player had two interceptions: Zack Corpe, 2 interceptions (Nov. 13 2010)
*Not available through recent archive scanning
^NCAA All-Divisions record for single game receptions
