LEXINGTON – The Bell stays in Richmond for at least one more year.

Sparked by their defense, the Spartans thumped the Minutemen 45-0 Oct. 21 in varsity 11-man football at Lexington in the annual Bell Game – Richmond’s fourth straight victory over Lexington. The Spartans have outscored the Minutemen 156-52 during that span, Missouri State High School Activities Association records state.

With the Missouri River Valley Conference East Division victory, the Spartans (8-1 overall, 4-1 division) posted their fourth shutout this season and third in four games.

“I thought we played hard on defense; and any time you … keep a zero on the scoreboard for four quarters, you’ve probably played pretty well defensively. … Definitely proud of them there,” coach Nick Persell said.

The defense produced four turnovers in staging the performance that pleased Persell – two recovered fumbles, two interceptions. Contributors included junior Trent Logsdon, who recovered a second-quarter fumble.

“Two people had the…