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A longtime Liberty Lake family tradition, Turkey Bowl XXVI was played at Pavillion Park on Nov. 27.

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Parting Shots: Kids claim victory in Turkey Bowl XXVI
12/29/2014 2:52:44 PM

By Jim Nania
Splash Guest Column

This year's Turkey Bowl almost didn't happen. Several key adult team players borrowed a quote from the great fighter Roberto Duran and said "No Mas." Memories of too many injuries and too many days of post-game pain and stiffness resulted in a reluctance to, once again, "throw down with the ‘Next Gen.'" 

However, the "wisdom that comes with age" was overcome by the "thrill" of competition and the chance, just once more, to see if we "still had it."

And so a warm, windy day with a wet field greeted a good group of competitors. Extra emergency precautions were taken by positioning a wheelchair on the sidelines. To the widespread approval of all, the National Anthem as sung by Whitney Houston was played as the players doffed their caps and faced the waving flag above Pavillion Park.

The coin toss was won by the kids, who in keeping with the current trend in pro football elected to kick off to the adults. Kid player, Trevor Sharpe of the Spokane Shock organization, explained that it "was on account of the odds."

Early in the first quarter, it was apparent the adults were outgunned by the kids' speed, agility and cleats. Brian Dolan, arguably the best adult athlete on the field and adult team quarterback, is normally as unflappable as Aaron Rodgers. However, after the first few plays, he had to use very colorful language to express his concern for the athleticism demonstrated by the opposing kids. He was also immediately "picked" by the kids' Cory Smith, who went in for a touchdown. No less than nine interceptions by the kids' defense, including four by the Smith boys and three by Cory Wyatt alone, set the tone for much of the game. 

Meanwhile, kid quarterback Chad Butler was able to find open receivers, most often Kyle Kallistad, who accounted for an incredible six touchdowns in the game. Brother David Butler was able to add a scramble, and at the end of the first half it was 21-0 in favor of the kids.

At halftime, while the kids were drinking pop and eating cookies, the adult team did serious strategic planning and developed a sophisticated offensive plan to have their receivers run long and try to get open. However, it was a key defensive play that provided the momentum, as Joel "Uncle Jello" Nania got a pick-six early in the third quarter to put the adults on the board. 

Soon after, the adults followed up on a botched punt and scored the first recorded safety in many years of the Turkey Bowl. However, the adult resurgence was short-lived, and insult was added to injury when the kids scored on a devious flea flicker play: Chad Butler to Kyle Kallistad.

The adults did manage a few good plays late in the game, including  touchdown passes to Johnny Dimmler and Bob Kaatz as well as  a nice catch and sideline scamper by "Twinkle Toes" Al Smith. However, injury was added to insult as key adult defensive player, Travis "The Admiral" Prewitt was taken off the field in the wheelchair with a torn plantaris tendon.

Final score: kids 42, adults 23.

MVPs  
Kids' offensive MVP: Chad Butler, on one end of every kid offensive touchdown
Kids' defensive MVPs: Bret Balogh, 24 sacks, and Trevor Sharpe, 22 "tackles"
Adults' MVP: ?

Editorial comment: Population demographics clearly played a major role in this year's game. The kids team was composed of a wonderful group of age 20-something athletes who should, by now, be bringing a number of their own 4- or 5-year-olds to play on their team. Their tardiness in populating the next generation presents problems not just for the adult team, but for the funding of our Social Security as well.

"Give us some 5-year-olds to play against, and we'll show ‘em!"

Jim Nania is a longtime Liberty Lake resident and veteran of the "adult" Turkey Bowl team. The Thanksgiving tradition among Liberty Lake families celebrated its 26th year Nov. 27. 

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