Since the TFL's creation and first installment of Turkey Bowl football on November 23, 2000, there have officially been
18 teams that have taken Pritchard Field. Trying to narrow down those 18 teams into a top 10 list was quite a daunting task, but after hours of deliberation and voting a final ranking was reached.
After looking over the list a few times, I feel as though we have a very good representation of the top 10 teams to ever take the field under TFL sanction. Can arguments be made against these rankings? Of course; but, at the same time, I would put any of these teams up against any of the eight teams that did not make the list and feel confidently as though our list makers would win.
10. THC - Turkey Bowl III
The only team to post a shut-out in TFL history, THC is a great representation of how speed (
Middleton,
Mark Marcelli,
DiNofia) and power (
Dougherty,
Sean Graff,
Slaughter) can be combined and utilized to completely dominate a foe. This team would be higher on our list but their lack of offensive production (6 points is the second lowest total ever for a victorious team) combined with the fact that their
opponent just wasn't that good brings them in at #10.
9. Old School - Turkey Bowl IV
One of only two losing teams to make the list, beating out
TBII winner
Beer, Old School fell to a very talented
New School team 10-9 back in 2003. Even though they lost the game, putting up 9 points is quite a feat in Turkey Bowl football. What makes the team truly great was the fact that 5 of the 6 team members all found pay dirt.
8. The UnPhairs - Turkey Bowl I
The Unphairs accompany
Old School (TBIV) as the only other losing team to crack the top 10 list. The resiliency of this team is what makes it leaps and bounds above 10 others. Down 5-1 at halftime, The Unphairs mounted a second half comeback that, without a key interception by Team Possum's Mark Marcelli, probably would have won them the game. Their eight touchdowns in one half is a TFL record. This team featured a young and healthy Tim Dougherty, who played almost every position that day and established himself as the best player on the field.
7. Old School - Turkey Bowl VI
Turkey Bowl VI was one heck of a defensive struggle, and Old School proved that effort could beat speed, stamina, and talent any day of the week. Facing a
New School team that was revamped after TBV with the additions of Paul Middleton,
Tuna and Slaughter, Old School dug in deep and held what many thought would be a high scoring team to only 3 points. The familiar offensive combination of Dougherty,
Matt Marcelli,
Crooks and
Pohlig provided this team with just enough offense to get by.
6. Team Possum - Turkey Bowl I
The winners of the first Turkey Bowl, Team Possum was a force to be reckoned with. Featuring a team full of young, fresh, pre-alcoholic athletes; Team Possum used speed in Mark Marcelli and Chris Crooks, height and strength in
Kevin Rayer and Matt Marcelli, and
Mike Trill hitting his spots, to garner a victory over the very relentless Unphairs.
5. Old School - Turkey Bowl V
The second installment of New School v. Old School left the
New Schoolers with a bad taste in their mouth.
Tim Kaufmann supplemented well for the absence of Paul Middleton, but Old School would not be denied their revenge. The disappearance of Kevin Rayer hindered New School, allowing them no substitutes. The Old School defense capitalized on their advantage and all but one New School receiver scoreless, and offensively pounded New School. Every Old School player would be involved in at least one score.
4. Linebacker U - Turkey Bowl IX
Linebacker U was initially considered the underdog of TBIX, but precision passing by Tim Doc and a great receiving core headed by Sergeant Slaughter and Paul Middleton lead the Penn State-like team to a victory. The match-up, on paper, looked even if not in the favor of
Thug U, but, in reality, the game would overwhelmingly swing the other way. A strong effort by
Tom Orio and The Tuna helped Linebacker U to victory and again reminded us why games are not decided on paper.
3. Team Zissou - Turkey Bowl VII
Team Zissou convincingly silenced the
Doc F*ckers 8-5 in TBVII. Tim Dougherty showed his versatility on the field as he suited up as a lineman, and Mike Trill, behind the protection of Tuna and
Keith Cottom, picked apart the Doc F*ckers' secondary. Mark Marcelli and Chris Crooks, two players relied on more defensively than offensively, would score 2 TD's a piece. Kevin Rayer's late arrival and subsequent performance would solidify himself as one of the games' best players as he found the end zone 3 times.
2. New School - Turkey Bowl IV
There were more players than just Mark Marcelli hitting stride for New School in TBIV. Mark accounted for one of the best plays in TFL history, but this team, especially that year, had it going on. Every WR had a multi-touchdown game, and Jon Hart owned the trenches. New School put on a speed, strength, and overall football clinic. They didn't win by a huge margin, but they defeated a very good, #9 on our list, Old School squad.
1. Bad Newz Kennels - Turkey Bowl VIII
There wasn't any argument here. BNK has to be the best team to ever take the field on Thanksgiving morning. Sergeant Slaughter, Matt Marcelli were downfield and red zone threats; and even Tuna found the end zone twice. Tim Dougherty again illustrated why he's a 2x MVP and the best quarterback in the league by using TBVIII as a coming out party after two sub par years. BNK dismantled the
Sand Naggers, winning the game by a record 8-point margin. The linemen combination of Keith Cottom, Tony Laughlin, and Tuna was unflappable. Other records set that day by Bad Newz Kennels included
points scored (12),
touchdowns scored (Slaughter - 5) and
touchdown passes (Dougherty - 9). Looking at this list I don't think there is one team, not even #2 New School, that would give BNK a game.
