Turkey bowl Ends in Expected Fashion
Younger Gridsters Efforts Prove Futile Against Experienced, Savvy Veterans
Fans at the White Memorial sure got their money's worth at Turkey Bowl 2000, and months of hype did not disappoint. However, like any sport...there is only room for one winner and one loser. The 93' Idiots topped the 95' Idiots 25-21 on Friday, November 24th, taking the coveted Turkey Bowl celebration mug (Courtesy of Manu and Grandma) for another year.
The game started out with hard hits and trash talking everywhere as the 93' Idiots kicked off. The 95' team was unable to get anything going after a poor Chad Matthews kickoff and ended in a 4th down interception throw by Mike Stiglitz. John Sporer had a nice return on the ball and the 93' team had their first chance. But Mike Yargar was picked off by Shawny Standish, both teams had turned the ball over on their first possession and it appeared Turkey Bowl would be defensive struggle.
However, Andy Traister got the ball rolling for the '93 team midway through the first half as he scampered for a 20 yard touchdown run. The point after failed and the score was 6-0. The 95 'ers, now with the well-fed Standish at QB were still unable to convert many plays, and after they got the short end of a few questionable calls by referee/rock star Brian McCall, turned the ball over in straight possessions. Mike Yargar made them pay near the end of the first half as he found a wide open Mark Beary, who slithered into the end zone for the second score of the afternoon. The point after was no good as Jason Bell picked off Yargar pass, and the score at the half was 12-0 in favor of the 93' Idiots.
The second half came out with more adrenaline and tempers flaring as the 95 team's Nate Peterson picked Yargar on the opening possession. K. Frank Kaelin, whose retreating hairline is in no way indicative of his athletic prowess, got the young bucks on the scoreboard early in the second half. He left sweep and galloped back right for a 45 yard touchdown run to cut the lead in half. After exchanging possessions in some hard fought football action, the 95 team struck one more time as Shawny-Shawn Standish buttered John Sporer's toast and hit Mike Stiglitz in the corner of the end zone with a strike and Standish ran the extra point across for the 13-12 lead. This had marked the first lead of the day for the '95 Idiots.
But the scoring party had just begun. The 93' team gained its composure and went the distance of the field in a quick fashion as John Sporer found a large seam in the defense and Yargar hit him in stride to take an 18-13 lead. Andy Traister converted the point after as the '93 team went up 19-13 with a little over five minutes to play in the contest.
The '95 team drove down the field quickly with ass-waxing runs by Standish and K. Frank Kaelin. There was also a beautiful nose breaking 4th down reception by Jason Bell. But Standish then was picked off by Dappin Danny Byers who made several jigs and jags and took it to the house for six and restore the old tymers lead to 12. Big Players make Big Plays in Big Games. But the Byers touchdown celebration was unfortunately overshadowed by a good ruckus outbreak between Jason McHenry and "hot head" Matthews. Nonetheless, the 93 team took over 25-13.
The '95 team took over with 3 minutes left and marched straight down field under QB Mike Stiglitz. Jason McHenry, K. Frank Kaelin, and Jason Bell led the parade as Stiglitz ran an effective 2 minute offense with the game nearing its end. Stiglitz topped off the drive with a 15 yard QB keeper and the lead was now 25-19. The game seemed to be in the hands of the '93 Idiots with under 3 minutes to go but then out of nowhere came disaster for the 93 Idiots.
Andy Traister was caught for a safety while trying to make something happen in his own endzone and almost lost more than that as he needed helped off the field. Traister returned a few plays later, but the '95 team sure had the momentum. The '95 Idiots re gained possession down 4 points and very little time remaining. On a 4th down and about three to go, the '93 team held on a QB keeper by Stiglitz (which was another questionable call in favor of 93) and the ball was turned back over to the '93 Idiots. With under a minute to go, both teams walked off the field to prevent another fight between the two rivals. A good game for sure, this year's Turkey Bowl proved to be a winner. both teams shook hands as they grabbed a PBR and the day was over from the White Memorial. K. Frank kept his word as a loser and did a commendable job as Dappin Danny's beer bitch later that evening.
Pics and video coming soon!
Scoring Summary: 1st Half 2nd Half Final
'93 Idiots: 12 13 25
'95 Idiots: 0 21 21