Mooresville and Martinsville renew historic high school football rivalry in postseason
MOORESVILLE, Ind. (BVM) — The Mooresville Pioneers and Martinsville Artesians have had a long and historic rivalry when it comes to high school athletics in Indiana, especially within football. The Morgan County foes typically square off on the gridiron once a year during the Mid-State Conference season. But this fall, the teams would find themselves doing battle in the postseason as well.
Always a big game on each team’s schedule, the rivalry took on some added importance in 2012. At that time, former Martinsville athletic director Don Lipps and previous Mooresville athletic director Chad Briscoe decided to create a trophy to go to the winner of the matchup each year — The Battle of the “M” Trophy.
The trophy features a big “M” as well as both teams’ school colors. On the front, there are plates with the results of each matchup since the trophy’s inception. At the time, both ADs felt the trophy would only add to the already great rivalry, and it certainly has.
“I think this trophy is a great idea since Martinsville and Mooresville are in the same conference and will be competing each year,” Lipps said in a press release. “I know this trophy will be a positive symbol for both schools and it will bring more enthusiasm to a great rivalry.”
“We are pleased to be a part of this historic partnership,” Briscoe added. “The Battle of the ‘M’ will continue to enhance the athletic experience for our student athletes and it will add excitement to the athletic traditions at both schools.”
While Mooresville has been part of the Mid-State Conference for many decades, Martinsville is a newer member, joining in 2006. The classic battles between the two schools have only gotten better since the trophy addition in 2012.
The Artesians dominated the first few years of the trophy game, picking up wins in five of the first six seasons of its existence between 2012 to 2017. However, Mooresville has nearly evened the score since, defeating Martinsville three years in a row.
The wins over their rivals have coincided with an impressive three-year run for the Pioneers, who have a combined 32-6 record over the past three seasons. Currently, with the 2020 season winding down, Mooresville is ranked No. 12 in the state of Indiana by MaxPreps.
Although Martinsville hasn’t seen quite as much success in the back half of the past decade, they held their own in 2020 with a near .500 record.
During the regular season, this year’s Battle of the “M” matchup was held on Oct. 9. The game was dominated by the Pioneers, who would come out victorious in a 41-24 win. But in a treat for any fan of this rivalry, the two teams were again slated to match up in the Class 4A Sectional 23 title game just a month later.
Last week, the two schools renewed the rivalry again in a high-scoring affair. Coming into the game, Martinsville was fresh off of two wins after easily handling Jennings County and squeezing out a one-score victory over Greenwood.
Meanwhile, Mooresville entered the contest with four straight wins. In fact, their only blemish all season came against Whiteland on Oct. 2, where the Pioneers suffered a 41-35 defeat. This year’s sectional championship was the fourth consecutive appearance for Mooresville.
While the Pioneers were predictably favored in the contest, the Artesians held close to start the game. After a five-yard touchdown run by Breken Greene of Mooresville, Martinsville answered with a 29-yard touchdown pass to tie the score at seven.
Mooresville quarterback Nick Patterson — who went on to throw for 191 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for three additional scores — would hit pay dirt on a one-yard keeper to give the Pioneers a 14-7 lead after one. After extending that lead to 14, the Artesians would again answer to cut the deficit to one score.
But from there, Mooresville would respond, taking a 31-14 lead into halftime. Martinsville would try to get back in it to start the third quarter after a 12-yard touchdown run by Chase Mabry. But after that, it was all Pioneers, as the No. 12 ranked team in the state would put up 21 unanswered points, and dominate the rest of the way in a 52-27 victory.
While the offensive output in the game was similar for both teams yardage wise, it was the Pioneers’ ability to score — particularly with the five rushing touchdowns combined from Patterson and Greene — that ultimately led to the win.
As Martinsville’s season ends with a 5-7 record, Mooresville will now face off in a regional matchup with undefeated Evansville Central. While Evansville Central has been dominant this season — winning all but one regular season game by more than one score — they are coming off a nail-biting victory against Evansville Memorial. The game is scheduled to be held this Friday night, Nov. 13.
With Mooresville now having the chance to realize their state championship dreams, it is back to the drawing board for coach Brian Dugger and the Artesians. But if there is one thing that is certain, it is that both these teams, students, and fans are already looking forward to the next Battle of the “M” in 2021.
