Football linemen are motivated by a more complicated, self-determining series of factors than the simple fear of humiliation in the public gaze, which is the emotion that galvanizes the backs and receivers. ~Merlin Olsen (Tommy Scordato said something similar to me when we were 15)
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For most of the last 30+ years various members of the Class of 1978 have gathered to play what is affectionately known as the "Turkey Bowl". It is a pick-up game of football; all comers are welcome. We used to play tackle, then as the years passed we graduated to touch. (Soon the ball will be down if someone gets close enough to breathe on us...)
We started playing these games just after high school graduation, when we were all home for the Thanksgiving-break from college, and have carried on ever since. The game is still traditionally played on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
The early games were played on the Lakeland Middle School field, frontside facing Route 6. Lately we have been gathering on the Walter Panas High Football Field (now a bona fide all-turf surface, complete with Panther logo and stadium lights-- vastly improved from the scruffy hard-pack field we used to play on).
Billy Haviland has been the catalyst behind organizing the games.
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| Varsity Football 1977-78 |
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| The Football Team: (L-R) TS, Kenny Dahl, Tony Graci, Jimmy Fleitz, Richie Mellone, Billy Haviland, Coach Sarkissian, Paul DePaoli, John Susa, John Hintze, John Gaccione, Shawn Mackey, John King, Timmy Hogan, Kenny DaRos |
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| Geezer Gang: (Standing) TS, Jimmy Fleitz, Sam Haviland, Billy Haviland, Rob DaRos, Eddie Marra, Mike Vallorosi, Frank Vallorosi, Chris Littleton, Kenny DaRos; (Sitting) John Susa, Eddie Sambrana, Tim Foley, Billy Foley |
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| Ibid |
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| Billy Foley Warming Up |
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| Ann Andrews |
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| The Clock is On The Field |
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| Patti Engel-Sambrana and Kenny Dahl |
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| Trying Not to Get Hurt |
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| TS Huddles 'em Up |
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| Trying Not to Get Hurt Part Deux |
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| TS: The Anchor |
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| Somebody's Gonna Get Hurt |
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| Gac Throws the Flag |
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| How We Used to Do It (TS [#51] teeing somebody up) |
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| Eddie Sambrana, playing with the cheerleaders (as usual...) |
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Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it is much more serious than that. ~Bill Shanky
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