Dover High Green Wave Sink Clippers

The Dover High Green Wave and Portsmouth High Clippers were in the middle of a classic Turkey Bowl game this morning and locked in a 21-21 tie in the third quarter before Dover blew it wide open and cruised to a 41-21 win.

For Dover High, the victory tasted sweeter than pumpkin pie less than a week after they lost the Division II title game, 16-7, to Bishop Guertin High School. For the Portsmouth High Clippers, they were hoping their Division III title victory over the Bedford High Bulldogs would give them the momentum to steamroll Dover High.

In the first quarter, the Clippers looked like they were enjoying an easy turkey shoot after they jumped out to a 14-0 lead paced by star running back Billy Lane. The Green Wave put up a touchdown before the end of the first half, making the score, 14-6, after missing the extra point. In the third quarter, the two teams continued to trade touchdowns and were tied at 21 before the Green Wave blew the game wide open.

In the third quarter, a botched punt gave the Green Wave great field position on the Clippers 41-yard line and they cashed in for a quick touchdown. The back breaker came in the fourth quarter. Down 28-21, the Clippers were driving for what looked like a sure touchdown when the drive stalled. On fourth and one, Lane tried to get the first down at the Greenwave 15, but was stuffed more than a Butterball turkey.

Two plays later, the Green Wave's Kyle Seawards scored his second touchdown when he caught a pass and ran for more than 50 years. The Green Wave later added another touchdown later in the fourth quarter when the Clippers threw an interception and gave Dover the ball on the Clippers 7. Of even greater concern was the leg injury suffered by Lane toward the end of the game. He had to be carried off the field by two of this teammates.

Dating back to 2006 when the two teams played their first Turkey Bowl, the Green Wave now holds a 4-2 edge. Last year, the Green Wave bested the Clippers with an overtime win, 25-19. Portsmouth High last won the Turkey Bowl in 2008 by a score of 35-28.