I woke u p Thursday morning as if it were any other. The sun was out with a few fluffy clouds in the sky and it appeared that we got a dusting of snow. With rain the past 3 days, who would have thought the sun’s rays would carry history from the heavens to our humble Turkey Bowl Game. With perfect weather, and the competitors assembling, there where a few things not so right about the game. The first notable was the absence of some of the founders of the game:
Gil “the accordion” Steele
Mike “pantelones ” Varre
Robert “cleats” O’Leary( the old turkey bowl write-ups seem to be missing so no links to reference the understanding of nicknames. Speak to writer or other veterans for descriptions)
Another notable SNAFU was MVP hopeful Ryan” the axe” Gilmore was once again cleat-les on a field destine for muddiness. Said size 10.5 cleats were promised to Ryan weeks before by Chris Tuite, but they found the feet of Jimmy “old saint” Nichols. (Investigation ensuing). To round of the field, double threats, crafty veterans and former MVP’s Chris “Riley’s Daddy” Tuite and Ben “the fudge packer” Evens were present. Me, Matt “The writer cause he can only run ” Holt, Robi “I ‘m on 690″ Bannerjee, Sean “I’ll be there in an hour” Brown, and Mark “the Old Man” Dobrzynski, and finally the virgins to the game besides Old Saint Nichols were “Sorry I can’t remember your name, short arms” and Tyler ” you can’t teach tall or young”.
With teams picked, and there being an odd number of players, number one pick and quality QB, Ryan was called upon to play all time quarter back for the first fifth (that’s right we model our breaks on measurements of liquor as apposed to a more rigid quarter system). With Ryan at the helm for the Tuitie clan, it appeared there was some foreshadowing about to occur. On the first play from scrimmage a perfect pass just beyond my short arms into the outstretched hands of CT. As if a bolt of lightning from a top Mt Olympus was put in the welcoming arms of the new father. This was not the last time we would see this connection, it would occur 5 or 6 more times in the course of the game, but oh, there was more.
We had flashes of brilliance and moments of despair peppering the 1.5hr game with both highlight reels and out takes. At the end of the first 5th, I believe Ryan had thrown for 6 touchdowns providing Ben’s team with a comfortable lead, 4-2. Notable performances were riding the golden arm of “the axe” by both CT and Tyler. Tyler pulled down 2 interceptions, and 2 td’s while the sole touchdowns came from CT on his team. Believe it or not, in this first part of the game, there was no real hard hitting, but the field was softening up and the air was thick with anticipation, something big was on the horizon. (BEER BREAK!!)
All being fair, and with Sean Brown still “an hour away” I became all time QB as the first pick on Ben’s team. Much like the rest of my play, the passing game was a bit subpar. And then “short arms” put a little bug in my ear, “how about we run it”. After that both teams had no clue what was coming. There was a bit of diminished joy from CT as the ball was not being delivered like a baby from the stork into his gloved hands, “short arms” had some nice carries and somehow we were able to complete some short passes, but with no fruit.
As the ball turned over on downs, there was a much different air of team work and maybe thanksgiving spirit on Ben’s team. Everyone was calling for the ball, and everyone was contributing. Whether it is a bad pass or a hardnosed run, the Ben team was digging the Miller Lite offence. Finally, with the first reverse call in turkey bowl history, Ben showed MVP form by taking the ball nearly the entire length of the field for the longest running play since “Tie Die” in the second annual game. On that note, another 5th came to an end, and the final player, Sean Brown, swaggered onto the field. “Where’s the Grande Marnier!!”
Now here’s where it gets a little sketchy. The beers coupled with it being over a month since the game, the details are a bit fuzzy, but here’s the call. The teams became true. Ben’s team got Robi and Tuite got the fresh Sean Brown. With this “Suring up,” Chris’s formula for MVP, which started with the initial draft, started materializing before everyone’s eyes. Behind the arms of Old St. Nichols and Ryan the Ben team seemed to have no coverage that could handle the aerial assault. Slants, Posts, east coast, west coast, it didn’t matter; the balls were place where only CT could catch them. A combination of golden arms and pure concentration on the ball, it was as if it was any pro team vs. the Lyons.
When this new found offense was compounded by 3 straight possessions of downs resulting in turnovers, the Tuite team started to roll the Bens. While the Bens started the game strong with touchdowns, interceptions and record breaking runs, the Tuities had the staying power of a true finishing team. The final 5th turned into a first team to 3 wins, and what appeared to be immediately after we finished our beers the game was over. The lethal combo of Gilmore to Tuitie put the Bens to bed, and with perfect pass only inches above the defender, Tuitie laid out for the final touchdown of the game. A suitable end to another great Turkey bowl.
Hit of the Game - Ben on CT; while his offense was tailing off at the end of the game Ben sure was able to put some nice licks on CT before we finished up. Both of them felt it the next day.
Bone Head of the Game - Me; 3 perfect passes to my hands no catches, sorry Ben. Subpar defense, at least I was able to drink beer without spilling it on my teammates.
Surprise - 2nd drive of the game a pass from Ryan to Mark. In his younger years Mark would have risen up for the catch, but the pass soared just a bit too high and ended up in the hands of much younger Tyler as he was laying out in the end zone. This type of concentration is usually only found with an athlete with pure concentration or excellent luck, we’ll see next year which one it was. We’ve got another player, we’ll see next year if he can sustain the brilliance he had early in this game.
Non-Factor – Robi; There are always the players that are their just for distraction. Robi played the role like a champ. Robi was there in flesh, but not so sure he was “really there”. Let’s see the “A” game next year, and make your namesake proud (BB ;)).
Thanks for Comin
Out - Mark, it’s becoming apparent that the whole crew is getting to know what it’s like to get older, so we tip our hats to you buddy. We know you are getting on in years, and just getting out of bed is tough. Nice game and keep on coming :).
MVP - While I’m torn on not giving the a shared MVP to the QB’s that made this guy look so good, he keeps reminding me of playing the “whole game”. From the first whistle, offenses, defense, to the end whistle. Even with the stresses of fatherhood “Rieley’s Daddy” CT came through again with a great game. The crushing blows on defense were not so prominent this year, but he was in on every play. There’s no disputing that CT was able to muster that extra effort to go get every ball that was thrown, only where he could get it. Hats off to your History Making performance and our first BACK TO BACK TURKEY BOWL MVP, Christian Tuite
This year’s game showed us some new talent and crafty veterans. The question is, will the MVP trophy ever leave the clutches of CT. Young guys, I expect some commitment to training during the year / off season. Ryan, I will make sure you have cleats next year, Tyler work on your mental game, Jimmy keep doing what you are doing and maybe you can catch the Benjamin Buttons Disease. Until next year.