Annual Thanksgiving Football Game

The annual Thanksgiving Day Football game between the Woodpile and Watertown has been a rivalry going on for 25 years. It’s the biggest sporting event of the year. The Woodpile “Claws” have had a terrific season so far. They are 5-0. They are facing the Watertown “Pirates” who also have 5-0 record. We had a “minor” scandal about a week ago. The entire “Claws” team was suspended for one game for eating genetically modified sunflower seeds (oops). We were in real danger of forfeiting the Thanksgiving Day game! Thankfully, Chippy stepped in and organized a new team. They only had a week to practice. So, that’s why you got me, Bushy the squirrel, reporting on the game instead of Chippy. (Squirrels aren’t allowed to play. Something about an unfair size advantage).

Not much to report from the first half, it was scoreless. The problem was the grass was six inches tall and nobody could see the passes. (It wouldn’t be a problem if you let us squirrels play). Both defenses made the running game tough to gain any yardage. The Claws made up for their lack of skill and experience in their run defense by sheer determination … I just got word in the press box that apparently the groundskeeper is on vacation visiting relatives in sunny Florida and forgot to mow the field before he left. The officials conferenced at half-time and they asked Mom to use her scissors to trim the grass. The fans are fired up now that they can actually see their teams play.

In the third quarter, the Pirates scored three touchdowns in a row. The Claws had no clue how to cover the Pirate’s all-star receivers. The only good news was they missed the point after on the third touchdown. Score was 0-20. In the 4^th quarter, the Claws were receiving the kick, Chippy yells out “Free beer on the sideline” and the Pirates ran off the field, we score a touchdown on the kick return. I don’t think they will fall for that trick a second time. The Pirates got the ball back on at their 20 yard line on the next play. Chippy pointed to the Pirates quarterback and told #43 nicknamed the “Bulldozer” and told him to knock him on his [bleep]. Then he asked Jerry, a track star to follow the bulldozer and grab the ball and RUN to the end zone. Bulldozer plowed through the front line, chipmunks went flying evey which direction, and the Pirate’s quarterback never knew what hit him. Jerry snatched the fumbled ball for a touchdown! Score 14-20.

What follows is some highlight photos of the last drive of the game

With one minute left to play, the Claws got the ball back at the 25. The quarterback got sacked on the 3^rd down and is out with a broken paw. Chippy steps in as the backup quarterback. Facing a 4^th and 10, Chippy threw a bullet of a pass …

#87 makes a diving catching at the 50 yard line. Wow, what a play to keep the game alive! The Claws take a timeout to stop the clock at 10 seconds.

With 10 seconds left on the clock there is only time left for one more play.  … Chippy waits for the receivers to get down field, and throws a Hail Mary pass.

Hiding in the grass in the end zone unnoticed, #87 waits to jump up to catch the ball.

“Unbelievable, He caught it, TOUCHDOWN!!! …. The extra point is good … the Claws win the game!” … “The Claw fans are going wild and celebrating in the stands!”

 I almost forget to mention, this is the first time the Woodpile has ever won the Thanksgiving Day game.