1933 Turkey Bowl

Here's a tradition that I'm sorry came to an end. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think it lasted into the 1950s until the OHSAA created the different classes or divisions for football programs depending on the enrollment of the school. Even though East Liverpool is a Div. II school today and Wellsville is Div. VI, I think the two teams would be very competitive on the gridiron still today. Like the Old Grey Mayor's Basketball Game did last spring it would generate a lot of interest and good natured rivalry between the two communities.

It was the traditional last game of the season played every year on Thanksgiving Day. It was popularly known as the "Turkey Bowl". It was a game you could throw the record books out the window. The success of the whole football season rested on who won the "Turkey Bowl". It was a tense rivalry that gave the bragging rights to the winner until the next Thanksgiving rolled around.

The WHS names on their roster are all mostly familiar. Many of those names are still familiar in the area. Number 37 for Wellsville is the late Ike Call. I bet Marge or Helen could tells us the first names of the others.

There's only two names on the EL roster that ring a bell. I believe Number 50 Booth is the Bill Booth that tragically died not long after 1933 in a car accident. He was a very talented athlete and is honored yet today when they present the Bill Booth Award to the Potter's football MVP each year. Lou Holtz often gives credit for much of his success to his Uncle Lou Tyconievich. Perhaps that Sophomore is Uncle Lou.

It's a long gone Thanksgiving tradition that today only lives on in memory. Even the businesses that advertised to sponsor the souvenir score card are long gone. Thanks to the Call family for letting us share some of those memories.

You can click on any of the pictures to enlarge. Happy Thanksgiving...

ole nib