Turkey, football come together at Mullica Township school's Turkey Bowl

From the Press of Atlantic City, November 26, 2009-Rob Spahr, Staff Writer

Two of Thanksgiving's most cherished icons - football and turkey - were celebrated Wednesday morning on a soggy field at the Mullica Township Middle School.

The football game was the annual "Turkey Bowl" flag football contest between the 8th-grade class and members of the faculty. A festively costumed Principal Brenda Harring-Marro was the turkey.

And computer teacher Todd Curll - a devoted Pittsburgh Steelers fan - dressed in drag as a Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader came free of charge.

The game - and the strange costumes worn by some of the staff - were a reward to the students for raising more than $6,000 that will help pay for their yearbooks and annual school trip.

"It gives the students a chance to see that their teachers aren't just concerned with the academics, that they can let their hair down and have fun, too," said Harring-Marro, who spent much of the game dancing to music along the sidelines and cheering on both sides.

The students were also treated to a bizarre half-time relay race between Harring-Marro and Curll, as well as a refreshment stand stocked with hot chocolate and soft pretzels.

Harring-Marro said the game does help the faculty with its efforts inside the classroom.

"By having that mutual respect between the faculty and students, it makes things go smoother on the academic side," she said.

Physical education teacher Scott Newhall, who returned an interception for the first touchdown in faculty's 44-21 win, said the teachers also take on the students in basketball and volleyball every year. But the students have yet to win the coveted Turkey Bowl, he said.

The winless record does not seem to bother the students.

"Winning isn't important," said Jon Newman, 13, who threw for the students' first score of the game early in the fourth quarter. "It's just fun to play in the game."

"The best part is going against the teachers," said Katherine Gulig, 13. "Because when we score a touchdown, we get to mess with the teachers and make fun of them."

The faculty also took turns heckling each other during the game over a public-address system.

"This is just a really fun event where everyone - students and teachers - have a good time," Curll said. "As embarrassing as it is (to dress up like a cheerleader), it's worth it because it rewards them for all of the hard work they put in to raising the money."