l.d. bell has three football teams: varsity, jv, and sophomore. for the game with rival trinity high school, the teams alternate between home and visitor every year. the varsity football team has lost against trinity high school in each of their last 22 games. the 1982 varsity football team was defeated in the state championship game by west brook senior high (beaumont, tx). bell made the state semifinals in 1986 and the area finals in 1989. the sophomores of l.d. bell showed the greatest growth, going 10-0 in their 1990 season. athletes at bell are encouraged to move at "raider speed", which entails a "heightened sense of urgency, faster pace, and high enthusiasm".