Turkey Bowl XIII
#wolfkillers 6, #golddiggers 2
1st2ndF
#wolfkillers426
#golddiggers202
   Pritchard Field - Swarthmore, PA
   Date: November 22, 2012
   Weather: 58°, Sunny
   MVP(s): Tim Dougherty, Mike Trill

Photos
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Videos
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Stats
#wolfkillers Passing
NameTDs
Dougherty, Tim3
Trill, Mike3
#golddiggers Passing
NameTDs
Middleton, Paul1
#golddiggers Scoring
NameTDs
Marcelli, Mark1
Middleton, Paul1
Game Summary
For the better part of a few months many TFL members wondered, evident through calls, texts, and emails, if Turkey Bowl XIII was a go. Some were left to believe with the lack of communication and, more importantly, the fact that a draft had not been convened, that the 2012 edition of The Turkey Bowl was in question, that the entity known as the TFL was in disarray. Evidently these contemplations and beliefs were misplaced. On November 22 of this year 13 Thanksgiving Football League participants, along with throngs of adoring fans, assembled on Pritchard Field to commence, what has become, Ridley Township's annual tradition of Thanksgiving football.

Turkey Bowl XIII would begin differently than any of its past counterparts; teams would be picked on location, 15 minutes prior to kickoff. Predetermined captains Chris Crooks and Tom "Flounder" Orio would select teams from a draft pool consisting of players who merely showed up. The two captains, who selected team names based on their beer of choice, were unable to prepare a draft strategy, only hope that the potential teammates they wanted, or maybe did not want, were at Pritchard Field in time for a draft that resembled more of a schoolyard pick-up game culling. With the chug of a beer, #wolfkillers' captain Chris Crooks would choose to draw the second two picks, allowing #golddiggers' captain Tom Orio to obtain the first overall selection. Orio would not disappoint.

In a surprise move Orio denounced the need for a proven quarterback, while living up to the nickname "Flounder", by picking the supreme utility man Paul Middleton, ultimately leaving the door open for Crooks to snag quarterbacks Tim Dougherty and Mike "Beer" Trill. Crooks would do just that. The selection of both mainstay QBs would be the first of Crooks' draft successes, but not the last.

Orio's second pick, the fourth overall selection, would also prove costly, but not due to the pick itself. As Tom finished the second round of the draft a hungover, yet undefeated, two-time MVP Ian Hart would emerge from the shrubbery just in time to find a #wolfkillers' roster spot. The draft, which at this point seemed heavily weighted in Crooks' favor, would continue without incident. The #golddiggers' roster, in addition to its captain Tom Orio, would be comprised of Matt Marcelli, Mark Marcelli, Paul Middleton, Kevin Rayer and Joe Simcox. #wolfkillers' captain Chris Crooks would see Keith Cottom, Rich Dinofia, Tim Dougherty, Ian Hart, Sean Kelly and Mike Trill join his ranks.

With the rosters set in stone there was nothing left to do but officially begin Turkey Bowl XIII. The game would initiate with quite a bang.

Paul Middleton, on a perfectly executed reverse, would return the opening kickoff for a touchdown. It would be only the second time in TFL history and the first since Turkey Bowl VIII that a kickoff was returned for a touchdown. Ironically, Middleton was also responsible for the first and only other kickoff return touchdown. The heads up play would give the #golddiggers the lead with only a few ticks off the game clock.

The early goings of Turkey Bowl XIII would prove to be a back and forth battle with momentum and, of course, the lead changing hands often. #golddiggers' quarterback Paul Middleton would hook up with Mark Marcelli for a score, while #wolfkillers' QB Mike Trill would find Ian Hart and Rich Dinofia to keep things competitive. It looked as though TB XIII had the makings of an instant classic that could possibly rival the triple overtime game of 2011. Unfortunately, any remnants of Turkey Bowl XII magic would soon dissipate.

Unable to mount any effective offensive drives, the #golddiggers would not dent the scoreboard for the remainder of the game. A tied contest would soon turn to a 4-2 halftime lead in the #wolfkillers' favor as Tim Dougherty, on his way to breaking the 50 passing touchdowns' plateau, would hookup with receivers Mike Trill and Chris Crooks for scores. The #wolfkillers' lead would continue to grow after the game's midway point as Dougherty and Trill would exchange TD passes and receptions. Turkey Bowl XIII would cease on a #golddiggers' drive deep in their own territory with a dropped touchdown pass and a kick of the "Dickey"/Township Trophy.

Final Score: #wolfkillers 6, #golddiggers 2. The tandem of Mike Trill and Tim Dougherty would be awarded MVP honors for their efforts. The two now combine for 6 Most Valuable Player laurels.

Turkey Bowl XIII was obviously not the best or most competitive contest in the annual series, but it excelled in ways that no other Turkey Bowl has. This year's game had an aura of jubilation that many of its predecessors did not. As young children and fans roamed the sidelines on what was a gorgeous, sunny day, there seemed to be a lack of animosity between the competitors. Smiles were much more frequent than grimmisses, and the postgame banter and festivities were much more relaxed. Regardless of the lack of fanfare that sometimes surrounds this annual tradition, I consider Turkey Bowl XIII to be one of the most successful events in TFL history.

Can't wait to do it again next year.
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