Fifty years ago, the Turkey Day Game was held at Moss Field and it seemed, according to reports, that Webster won the game because they "gave the least." Coaches for the game were Bill Lenich, at Kirkwood, who had been coaching Kirkwood since 1949 and Jack Jones, for Webster, who took control of the Statesmen in 1965.
How does someone win a game by giving the least? You simply commit the least amount of errors. All of the game's scoring happened in the first half of play, giving Webster a 12-8 halftime lead. However, it was the back and forth turnovers which seemed to frustrate spectators the most.
At the start of the second half, Webster fumbled the ball and Kirkwood recovered. After an exchange of punts, Kirkwood fumbled the ball and Webster recovered. Kirkwood then passed and Webster intercepted.
Webster had in the backfield a player seldom mentioned anymore, Jeff Hillier, a junior this year. He received a pitch from Bob Miller, the quarterback, and fumbled. Kirkwood recovered. In the game, Hillier only gained 15 yards on 25 carries, but the feat brought him over 1,000 yards rushing at Webster, only recorded in the modern era by Bucky Givens.
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There was a star of the game, though, and that was junior defensive back, Jed Reynaud. With three minutes remaining and Kirkwood on Webster's 26-yard line, Reynaud intercepted a pass, which put an end to Kirkwood's drive which might have won the game. Including Turkey Day, Reynaud had played in only the last four games of the season, but had achieved four pass interceptions.
The win for Webster made them Suburban South Conference Co-champion with Ladue. Kirkwood dropped to third place, meaning the game was just not for the Frisco Bell, but also the conference co-championship honor.
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This year celebrates the 113th varsity contest between the 124th football teams of both schools. In varsity meetings at the Turkey Day Game, Kirkwood leads the series 44-37-5. In the record of all varsity games ever played, Webster leads that series 54-51-7 – which, at three games, has not been that close since 1919. You may listen to all of the action as game broadcast regulars and Webster alumni Jim Grillo and Damon A. Patterson bring you all of the action and the best interviews on WOodland 1 Sports at www.mixlr.com/woodland1
May the Frisco Bell ring for you this Turkey Day!
By Shawn Buchanan Greene
Webster Alumnus 1987