Friday, November 24, 2017

Turkey Bowl '17: This Was War

Oh sure, you're thinking this was just some pick-up flag football game that we happen to play every Thanksgiving morning. 

But no, no. I assure you, it was way more than that.

In the end, my team won 12-6 when my niece Sophie Kirby (bottom left) scored the game-winning touchdown on a play known as Trips Left, 87 Double-Dog Fly.

My wife Kim, who served as our offensive coordinator, called the play when she noticed the other team in double zone coverage on third down situations.

As usual, Kim's incredible football knowledge resulted in the perfect call. Her friends Kathy and Laura are always amazed at the depth of Kim's insight.

Quarterback Troy Holtrey faked a pass in my direction, drawing the entire defense over my way (what can I say, I'm used to being double- and sometimes triple-teamed), then found Sophie all alone in the corner of the end zone.

Sophie, by the way, was the game's MVP. She was unstoppable. It is easy to see why Springboro girls' basketball coach Tom Benjamin (who happens to be Troy's agent) once nicknamed her "The Microwave," because it never takes long for Sophie to get warmed up.

My daughter Chloe, who led a safety blitz on the other team, was devastated. Having watched hours of film in preparation of this game, she was sure we were going to run something off-tackle. She fired the defensive coordinator on the spot.

Afterward, game commentator Kirk Herbstreit was so impressed he called current Buckeye head coach Urban Meyer to suggest that our play be used tomorrow when Ohio State plays at Michigan.

This game is already an ESPN "Instant Classic."

Just a little pick-up game to have some fun on Thanksgiving? Not at all.

This was war.
...


Okay, maybe it went more like this:
"Everybody go out."
"My hands are cold."
"Yeah, I'm hungry."
"Why do we do this?"