Thursday, December 16, 2004

2000 vs. 2001, "Turkey Bowl III : The Rubber Match " **GAME TIME UPDATE**

***** GAME 11AM 12/29 Wildcat Stadium*****

Four years ago a tradition started. My friends and I who were members of the Johnson City Class of 2000 started playing football game on Thanksgiving/Christmas vacation. We divided ourselves by those who lived on the west side of Johnson City and those who lived on the East side. That was fun. But then we were approached by a group of individuals from the Johnson City Class of 2001. They had heard of our game and offered a challenge that the two classes play eachother, thus te "Turkey Bowl" was born.
Two years ago it was the class of 2000 winning when hailmary scramble by '01 QB Matt Yankowski fell short as time expired. Last year it was 01' thoroughly handing it to the veteran class of 2000 as the elders fell victim to injuries and guest fill-ins from Oswego University. That brings us to this year! With the sides both sitting with a win a piece, we brace ourselves for a collision of Biblical proportions. With many members of both teams not available to play during Thanksgiving, the game has shifted to Christmas where the temperatures are colder, the snow is heavier, and the ground is harder. It's TURKEY BOWL III : THE SINS OF SANTA
The years of graduation are not the only things that differentiate these two teams. There is an obvious difference in the way they approach the game. One relies on speed and finese, while the other is a smash mouth team with an occasional surprise deep ball in their pocket. With this said, let's meet the teams. I have written descriptions of each player and then ranked them in several categories. The rankings are 1-5, 5 beingthe best, 1 being very unimpressive. Let's see 'em....

2001

QB Matt Yankowski 5'10 North Harrison St.

Matt certainly knows the position, he was the QB for the JCHS football team for almost as many years as Bill Spalik was a running back. He is always in good physical shape which gives him a SLIGHT edge over his counterpart. He has above average speed and is a headache for the opposing defensive coordinator who must devise a way to stop him from escaping the pocket. He is a wrestler so he certainly knows how to play physically which makes him tough to bring down as well as break away from when he's defending. Question marks surround his ability to go deep down the field as last year 01' came out with a west-coast approach to their passing game. His recievers have speed, it will be interesting to see if they try to stretch the field or go underneath in hopes of racking up the RAC yards and beating the bigger 00' team to the endzone.

QB Experience: 4
Pocket Presence: 4
Scramble Ability: 5
Arm Strength: 3
Pass Accuracy: 3

Little known fact: Has a 10-0 record in arm wrestling against Jim "Doc" Muska

WR Jason Farrell 5'10 Townline Road

Jay is a bruiser. He gets the ball and uses speed and low center of gravity to break through defenders. There's talk that he's lost a step or two over the past year, but you can expect him to try to silence those critics come game time. I reliable reciever who has great catch and run ability. Is more likely to kill you over the middle than streaking down the sidelines but does have the ability to go "yard" if needed. Jay is a fierce competitor who showed no remorse when his team injured his own cousin in the original turkey bowl game. Jay also was a member of the Wildcats football team so he knows the field well, especially the goal line.

Little known fact: Once raced a cheetah in the 40 yard, lost, then promptly shot the cheetah and made it into a nice coat for his mom

Hands: 4
Speed: 5
Break Tackle: 3
Big Play Potential: 5
Turn-Over Potential: 2


WR Brian Edmunds 5'9 Bernice St.

Brian is a go to guy down the field. Will do a good job hiding during the game and then explode for a long ball to shift momentum. Also has a knack for the interception on defense. He is a well rounded player who has one of the better brains on the field that he uses to his advantage. Will rarely make a mistake and is fundamentally sound.

Hands: 4
Speed: 4
Break Tackle: 3
Big Play Potential: 4
Turn-Over Potential: 2 (1 being very unlikely to turn it over)

Little known fact: when he goes to bed, he always has to sleep with one of those burger king crowns on.

WR Tom Cieri 5'10 Rial Ave.

T is a speedster. He's going deep and everyone knows it, as he should. Hands are usually reliable but look out for an occasional drop. Is a good defender who is tough to beat down field. Has good elevation which helps him on both sides of the ball. In past years he has been slowed by his decision to wear work boots. Look for him to open up the offense and be the home run option for Yankowski. He's all business and won't look to drag the game out...because he has to get to work as soon as the clock hits ZERO.

Hands: 3
Speed: 5
Break Tackle: 1
Big Play Potential: 5
Turn-Over Potential: 3

Little known fact: he single handidly is responsible for the removal of the JC Traffic Circle

TE Cliff Stewart 6'1 North Baldwin

Cliff is a role player. His edge is his tenacity. You can never put a value on someone who is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice on the field.... because he doesn't know any better. A big target over the middle and in the flats, Cliff can get hard earned yardage and take a few defenders with him. Has played the game for many years and can help his QB by picking up blitzes. You don't have to worry about the elements getting to him as his abundance of body hair gives him a natural edge of the competition.

Hands: 3
Speed: 1
Break tackle: 5
Big Play Potential: 2
Turn-over potential: 3

Little known fact: recieved critical acclaim for his role as "Moses" in his church play about the 10 Commandments

TE/WR Dave Silvanic 5'9 Wilson Hill Rd.

Dave is the face of the team. The organizer of the squad and the leader. His on the field presence isn't as intimidating as some of his teamates, but Dave can easily find a spot in the endzone and make a key catch in crunch time. He always brings his team ready to play and works around the clock trying to exploit every weakness there is on the '00 team.

Hands: 3
Speed: 2
Break Tackle: 1
Big play Potential: 1
Turn over Potential: 3

Little Known Fact: Once placed a 20 dollar bet with a friend on whether or not the sun would come up... dave bet it wouldn't

Jordan Glenn 6'1" Virgina Ave. Park

Don't be fooled by Jordan's cuddley exterior, he's a warrior. A big athletic man with a nose for the big hit. Also has a background in wrestling so when he gets his man-paws on you, you're gonna find the ground. He isn't gonna burn you down the field, but he will lay a lick on you and drag bodies down the field. No matter what happens, you can bet Jordan will come dressed with a smile, because it's what you wear from ear to ear, and not from head to toe (a quote from the musical Annie)

Hands: 3
Speed: 2
Break tackles: 5
Big Play Potential: 3
Turn Over Potential: 2

Little Known Fact: Jordan has successfully collected $113.23 in change from the bottom of the Chuck E Cheese ball pit.


That's your current 01' roster. It is possible another person will be added in which case they will be put in this preview...


2000

QB Keith Hannon 6'5 Penna Rd.

Some have said the west coast has softened him up, not a chance. Hannon comes into this game in the best physical shape since the game began. Is the ultimate student of the game. He will spend hours drawing up game plans to beat his competition. Had a premature end to his football career, but has been QB-ing pick up games since age 10. Like Daunte Caulpepper, very hard to bring down in the pocket and can throw the ball down the field as far as neccessary. Likes to go deep early and often, but also understands the importance of a methodical touchdown drive. Lots of experience in the harsh elements as he has been in attenedance for a Buffalo Bills game in Decemeber every year since 1992. Field goal kicking has reached 50 yards, which could decide a game.

QB Experience: 5
Pocket Presence: 4
Scramble Ability: 3
Arm Strength: 5
Pass Accuracy: 4

Little known fact: Always keeps a picture of CC Auto headcoach Mr. Vail in his left shoe

WR Matt Zelesnikar 6'1 Oakdale Rd.

Hide the women and children! When this kid gets the ball the game becomes
R-rated. Has unhumanly large hands which help him bring in anything from footballs to 18 wheel trucks. Can surprise you deep but is better catching the ball over the middle and lowering his head for big gains after the catch. Developed a reputation as a nasty player after throwing a fake punch at Tom Ceiri while running with the football. Is extremely hard to bring down thanks to his size and ability to fit into spandex. His refusal to be tackled has lead to fumbles in the past but has recently told the press he's coming into this years game with a "two hands on the ball" philosophy.

Hands: 4
Speed: 3
Break tackle: 5
Big Play Potential: 4
Turn-Over Potential: 4

Little known fact: every pre-game meal consists of tires and a human infant


WR Scott Hall 6'2 Town Line Road

All hail Hall! A big play guy all the way. Can streak down the field and out-run or out elevate his defender. The '01 team has been known to drop a safety back in coverage in an attempt to limit Hall's effectiveness. Has also shown the ability to hang on to the ball even after taking a big hit. When '00 neads a quick score, this guys number is usually going to be the one called.

Hands: 5
Speed: 5
Break tackle: 2
Big Play Potential: 5
Turn-over potential: 2

Little known fact: after scoring a touchdown, likes to take out his newly issued hand cuffs, and cuff his opponent to the goal posts and then promptly urinates on them

WR Joe Macarak 5'8 Reynolds Road.

If you blink, you'll miss him. No one on the field compares to Joe in speed. Missed last years game due to scheduling problems and hasn't let his team forget it. Has something to prove after his roster spot was taken by a man from Oswego who did a poor job of trying to fill Joe's shoes. Extremely dangerous once he has the ball, will run circles around the defense. A great downfield target but QB Hannon has been known to under-throw the speeding Macarak from time to time. Can be just as dangerous in the open field just has to make sure not to get killed going over the middle. Dropsies also have gotten to him from time to time. Is a sure thing when it comes to PAT's.
Hands: 4
Speed: 99
Break Tackle: 0
Big play Potential: 5
Turn-over potential: 3

Little known fact: Fathered the most recent Chilson child

TE Cal Heinle 6'4 Arthur Ave.

A large man, a very very large man. Has soft hands for a big fella and is a great over the middle target for Hannon. The ultimate team player, will stand in and block if called upon. His tree trunk arms and legs requires a gang tackle most of the time. Isn't going to beat you down field but he'll power his away across the goaline and find unoccupied areas in the endzone. He likes to win almost as much as he likes the 6 pancake special at Green Owl after the game. Will need to be at every practice since he hasn't been in the presence of his QB since June and needs to regain chemistry.

Hands: 4
Speed: 1
Break Tackle: 4
Big Play Potential: 2
Turn-Over Potential: 1

Little known fact: He put Randy Sherwood and Randy's family, in the poor house by beating him at "quarters" in the cafeteria bathroom.

TE/WR Chris Kudyk 6'3 Cosmo's

Salute! Chris makes his long awaited debut this year. Fresh fighting for America, he know takes the fight to the Class of 2001. Chris won awards as a member of the Wildcat football team and is a brusier with hidden speed. Will go over the middle and down the sideline throughout the game. Is tough to bring down now that he is back to his pre-boot camp size. It is a gaurentee that he will not get hurt during this game and even if he did, he'll laugh and keep playing. Will be interesting to see how he fits into the system after being away for so long, but Hannon expects to work him hard in practice. In the past, has been known to be somewhat unreliable in the hands department..

Hands: 2
Speed: 4
Break Tackle: 4
Big play Potential: 3
Turn-over potential: 2

Little known fact: has been known to play poker against rattle snakes in the Afghani mountains

Utility Man Joe Schieve 6'0

He does it all, and he'll let you know it. Isn't fast but will go deep often and have success at it. Master of the comebacker, can cut back and shed his man for a big gain. Can be a liability as injuries have plagued him in the past. Has a nose for the endzone and has shown one-hand catch ability. Has a strong Buffalo Bills bond with his QB, and goes by the nickname "Moss". Will split time with Matt Z as the long snapper and can have a Keyshawn Johnson-like "throw me the damn ball" attitude.

Speed: 2
Hands: 4
Break Tackles: 3
Big Play Potential: 4
Turn-over Potential: 2

Little known fact: In hopes of following in the steps of baseball great Babe Ruth, Joe briefly had his own candy bar on the market entitled "Groin Crunch"

WR Nathan Dickson 6'0" Robinson Hill vacinity

Nate is solid sized lacrosse specialist whose athleticism also makes him a viable asset on the football field. He played a prominant role in the Class of 2000's EAST vs WEST as a member of the West squad. He also is a Bills fan which gives him a crucial intangible in terms of chemistry with his QB Hannon. Nate bring a down field presence for the 00' team that needs all the speed they can get. Look for him to line up with Hall and Macarak to give 00' a tripl threat option that will be hard to stop.

Hands: 4
Speed: 4
Break Tackles: 3
Big Play Potential: 4
Turn Over Potential: 3

Little Known Fact: Exiled from the Dickson family after he was found to have used illegal supplements in order to beat his brothers at Nintendo Power Pad.

There is your class of 2000 squad.... simply beefy

EXTREME OFFICIAL Josh Oryhon Virgina Ave./Ukraine

He's been there since the beginning and always calls it down the middle. He keeps the players honest and isn't afraid to take disputes into the bleachers. He's got a hockey mentality and Albany street smarts. You cross him, you might as well sign your will. This guy hails from the Ukraine, so you know he won't take shit... unless you're Russian.

Consitency: 4
Time Alerts: 5
Time Out response time: 5
Atire: 2
Ball spots: 3

Little known fact: once delivered a baby in a stuck elevator and as payment from the parents only demanded they let him eat the placenta



So here's how it breaks down as far as this author is concerned.....

Element/ Advantage/ Reason

QB/ 2000/ 12 Years of pick-up experience? Gotta like it

Speed/ 2001/ 2000 has some, but 01' is deeper

WR/ 2000/ Not the fastest, but sure handed, tough to tackle

Big Play/ 2001/ Speed gives way to big plays, history has shown it

Kicking/ 2000/ Two soccer stand-outs and Hannon from DEEEEEP

Physical Shape/ 2001/ 2000 never had it, never claimed to

Desire/ 2000/ Gotta go with the team looking to avenge a loss


There you have it, should be a good one this year. Game is scheduled for ????? Wildcast Stadium. Spectators welcome but you'll have to scale or go under the fence, good luck to both teams. As game-day gets closer, keep an eye out for the injury report.









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