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54th Annual Sun Valley vs. Chichester Turkey Bowl, Sun Valley Hoists the Trophy

Tagged under: District 1, Gameday Hub, News, pfn

| November 24, 2022

All photos in this article are courtesy of Gabriel Palmarini.

ASTON PA – In Delaware County, one thing is prevalent throughout time, tradition. This instance was the annual Turkey Bowl between two cross-town rivals. In the 54th meeting, the home team was the Sun Valley Vanguards (6-6). The Vanguards put together their best season in the last five years, winning six games, a playoff appearance, and their first Turkey Bowl win since 2017. Their opponent and longtime rivals, the Chichester Eagles (1-10), took to the road and traveled to Sun Valley Stadium. In this century, Sun Valley holds the advantage in Turkey Bowl wins, 14-7.

Familiar faces packed the stands on both sides of a full-house stadium. Alumni, parents, students, and community members showed up brandishing their Blue/Gold or Maroon/White. The winter jackets were out, and the hands were all in gloves or pockets. The standing room only left fans along the fence line.

Chichester back to receive as a brisk Thanksgiving morning set the scene. With a winless stretch going back to September, the Eagles put everything behind them to set their eyes on the trophy. An opening drive would highlight the wheels of Kahleef Best. Erskine Wilson would continue his season-longing impact with a 41-yard run. Chichester sat on their opponent’s 10, but flag after flag would cost them. In the end, the drive would end in a miscommunication resulting in a fumble, and Sun Valley recovered it. It would be one of many turnovers that plagued Chichester. When teams laid into the run game, Chichester’s defense struggled all year. Today, Chichester stopped it the early minutes of the game, forcing a punt.

Chichester would go for it on fourth down multiple times this game and not convert any of them; this was the start of many. Chichester’s defense would bail them out as they forced a Sun Valley punt again. Chichester sat back to receive, and the ball went right through the hands of the returner, and Sun Valley recovered the fumble. A punt, now just became free field position for the Vanguards. Steve Eskridge would use his own feet for yards, as he would reserve the energy of his tailbacks. The first quarter would end zip-zip (0-0).

Moving in the cold keeps the blood flowing, but for fans, the jumping up and down and hand rubbing began early, as many gave in. Eskridge walked so his running backs could run. Noah Griffin would take it 5-yards and a Sun Valley touchdown. A 2pt conversion would ail no good, and it put the Vanguards up 6-0. Sun Valley would keep the pressure steady and tack on back-to-back scores. Steve Eskridge connected with Josh Yanonis for a deep pass. Yanonis was wide open, and I stress wide open because he was underthrown, and still had time to catch and run another 15 yards or so to the endzone. Sun Valley held a two possession lead, up 13-0 with 8:36 left in the first half. Chichester would strike back with a passing touchdown of their own. A 29-yard pass would fly from the arm of Dan Kelly, and Derrick Robertson would take flight, hall it in, and bring a touchdown back with him to the sideline. It was once again anyone’s game, who was hungrier, that was TBD. Half-time struck, and it was a 13-7 Sun Valley game.

As Sun Valley’s band’s halftime performance faded into the distance, it was 24 minutes until we crowned a winner. One would lift the symbolic Turkey Bowl Trophy, and the other would go home empty-handed.

A stagnant third quarter would result in the ball staying at midfield. It would give me time to catch up with the legendary football videographer, Hayden Brown. It would not be until the final minute that action would take place in a red zone. Sun Valley again was in a scoring position and did what they needed to capitalize. Noah Griffin would soar into the endzone putting his team up 20-7. Time, in the words of Dobie Gray, would “Drift Away ” as the third ended.

A fourth quarter would again show Chichester’s defense was the only thing keeping them in the game. Stop after stop, tackle after tackle, they did it all. Notable defensive players included Eyan Thomas, Derrick Robertson, and Avery Billops. Derrick Robertson would record a huge sack on fourth down. Chichester’s offense, led by Dan Kelly, would try to bring this game into a manageable one. Unfortunately, to no avail, multiple turnovers by way of fumbles and interceptions would seal Chi’s fate. A 12-yard rushing touchdown would mark “game over.” Now up 26-7, Sun Valley could taste victory. Todd Harper would put the icing on the cake by intercepting Dan Kelly on a deep ball. Victory formation for Sun Valley, and the win was theirs.

Sun Valley complimented a bounce-back season with a win on Thanksgiving. They struggled to take down Chichester in years past as they failed to win the last two Turkey Bowls. This win also marks their first .500 season since 2016, as for a winning season they have not had one since 2006. It satisfied many seniors who may have very well played their last snaps as football players, as the world takes us to many places.

As for Chichester, they put all they had out on the field over the season after losing a lot of “Star” power last year due to seniors and transfers. Injuries broke them apart the most finding roughly 30 players healthy enough to suit up. It was a rebuilding season for them as HC Ed Buck and company turn their sights towards next year in hopes to bounce back in the way Sun Valley did this year. Until next time, enjoy Thanksgiving.

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