Signal Brigade Orange takes Turkey Bowl bragging rights from the MI Corps Blues

Sierra Vista Herald ^ | Bill Hess

[SandRat]

FORT HUACHUCA — While the first blood drawn during the annual Turkey Bowl on the post was by the 111th Military Intelligence Brigade, it was the last drop exacted by the 11th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade which proved to be the difference in Tuesday’s flag football contest on post.

Over the past three years, the Blues of the MI Corps took home the trophy, but this year the Orange Signaleers won it by a 20-13 count.

If there were a game MVP it would have been shared by two Signal soldiers — quarterback Warrant Officer Marcus Thomas, or wide receiver/corner back Staff Sgt. Brian Picklesimer were the most deserving.

They teamed up to score two touchdowns and the conversions. Thomas connected with another wide receiver Staff Sgt. Alex Campbell of Atlanta, for one of the three touchdowns. Campbell is assigned to the 40th Expeditionary Signal Battalion.

The Oranges were not on the mark at the beginning, as three holding penalties and missed passes saw the Blues quickly assume the offensive, and in short, consistent drives, the Blues steadily marched down the field, scoring the first touchdown in less than four minutes of play in the initial 12-minute quarter.

Stunned, as if realizing a much-wanted win this year was slipping away so early, the 11th’s players began to revise their play book, going from “let’s plow through the opponents,” to doing more “put the ball up in the air” plays.

With penalties handcuffing both offenses, the game turned into short, stubborn plays, most of them through the air as the quarterbacks looked for quick outlets.

At the end of the half, the Blues had gotten the better of possession time but found themselves trailing by seven.

As the third quarter’s clock began ticking, the Blues threatened to quickly score again, as they had in the first quarter.

But for awhile they were denied a touchdown and soon, they scored but did not make the extra point, to tie the game at 13-13.

It was in the last quarter, when the Oranges came close to scoring the winning touchdown, but as time expired on regulation, the teams were deadlocked at 13-13.

Since the two teams were playing for bragging rights for the next year, the game could not end in a tie.

The main umpire said each team would be allowed four plays, starting on the 15 yard line to score.

The 11th made the first attempt and successfully scored the point after with Thomas again connecting with Picklesimer for the touchdown and extra point.

And, as hard as the 111th tried to tie the score, and force another overtime period, they could not.

After the awards ceremony, Picklesimer, who is assigned to the 40th said he has never played much football.

Although the Brownswood, Texas, native is a four-year high school letterman, his sport was always baseball.

As for Thomas his knowledge of football is more natural.

The Evergreen, Ala., was his high school’s MVP and a four-year letterman, played college ball, coached high school football for six years, and like Picklesimer is assigned to the 40th.

The game, which had more than 300 spectators on the sideline was free, although a nonperishable food item for the fort’s chapel food locker to support soldiers and their families was suggested. A total of 6,147 non-perishable items were donated.

For the Signal Corps soldiers, winning the trophy this year has a special meaning as many who played may not return for next year’s game, as the brigade’s headquarters will be deploying for a year to Afghanistan in January.

[SandRat]

Staff Sergeant Jann Diego provides a birds eye seat for Isabel Moss, 5, as she watches her dad, Sgt. Russell Moss, participate in Tuesday's annual Turkey Bowl at Warrior and Sentinal Field on Fort Huachuca.