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2011 Turkey Bowl Champs: Communication!

By David Warden, Marketing and Sponsorship

turkeybowlMarines and families enjoyed a beautiful fall-like day in this year’s Annual Turkey Bowl. All units represented in this fierce tournament which ended with S-6 (’09 and ’10 Runner Up), crowned 2011 Turkey Bowl Champions. Formal Schools, who held the Turkey Bowl title three consecutive years (recorded), smashed the Mess Hall/S-1 in the first round 34-14, but were blanked 12-0 in 2nd round action by Fac Maint/HE who faced off against S-6 in this year’s Championship. Two-time Turkey Bowl veteran SSgt Cates, who played both sides of the ball for S-6 (O-Line/Middle LB), said the key to victory was the athleticism of his department. “The event was good in helping units build camaraderie,” he added.

S-6 Team Captain, Quarterback and two-time Turkey Bowl MVP (’10 and ’11) Cpl Noel Williams said his team’s weekly practice improved when players were in correct positions. “We gelled after discovering individual talents and checked our emotions,” he said. With a fired up Fac Maint/HE team standing between them and the trophy, his squad overcame an 8-0 deficit in the championship game to win the tournament. Elected Team Captain after his 2010 performance, Cpl Williams demonstrated his agility and throwing accuracy with six passing TDs and rushing for another seven as his team racked up a tournament record of 78 total points. This first generation Marine who played safety for the East Ascension High School in Gonzales, LA, had never played quarterback before last year’s Turkey Bowl. “I couldn’t have done it without the offensive line and receivers Dewey Pettiford and Sgt Smalls,” he added. S-6 edged out the team made up of Motor T, Medical, S-1, Safety and Administration, 28-24 to qualify for a chance to win. During that game MCMWTC Commanding Officer Col. Chandler was part of the action, hauling in three TD passes from Capt. Boykin (S-1/Adjutant).

ChéVonne Barksdale, Semper Fit Coordinator was surprised by the competition’s intensity. “The Marines we see every day in uniform had amazing talent and athletic ability on the field. Cpl Williams [MVP] could easily walk onto any university football program,” she added.

After falling in early rounds of 2009 and 2010, Fac Maint/HE entered the championship with something to prove. Team Captain GySgt Simerka shared that practice and dedicated players were vital to their bid for this year’s title. “A redemptive feeling” was his response when asked about this year’s tournament in comparison to being soundly defeated by UTG (’09) and Formal Schools in 2010. Key standouts offensively were Sgt Gant, Cpl Porter and Sgt Stevenson. Outstanding defensive efforts were noted by Defense Captain SSgt Clate and Brad Robasciotti.

powderThis year’s Powder Puff Championship (debuted 2010) was led by “Ball-N” Team Captain Sherry Hutton (S-1), behind the mobility of quarterback SSgt Cobb (S-6) and speed of Cpl Eckerson (S-1), who defeated the “Chains” 6-0 in a grueling game of ladies football. Chains Coaches SSgt Fregoso (S-4) and Ms. Devina Fregoso, responsible for coordinating “Chains” warm up for practices, felt the weather was a significant factor. “This year was a different game from the first year, there was more traction, less dropped passes and the ladies had a lot more fun playing,” SSgt Fregoso said. SSgt Fregoso and GySgt Simerka (Ball-N coach) agreed that the execution for each team was better than the previous tournament.

A major part of the event’s success was due to the 21 supporters, including sponsorship from Lincoln Military Housing, Les Schwab (Gardnerville, NV), and Don Weir’s Reno Dodge. Semper Fit staff thanked referees MSgt Buetz (UTG), MSgt Webb (S-3), GySgt DeLuca (1st Sgt), SSgt Buqoui (Fac Maintenance), Tony Robinson (Fac Maintenance), Working Party Marines, HQ Co. staff and the Pickel Chalet.

Game Stats: Click HERE to view the photo gallery>>>>>>