The thoughts of 350 people turned to Thanksgiving recently as they focused on the turkey. The second annual Turkey Bowl, that is, presented by Pick 6 Flag Football and held at Pittsburg High.

Six teams, including two teams of women, showed up to compete for the Pennington Plumbing Men’s and Women’s Division Championship Trophy.

The Men’s division saw the crowning of new champions: The Untouchables. The Untouchables were too much for two-time defending champions A-Fo-Sho-Win, as they went 80 yards on the first play from scrimmage on a go route from quarterback Chris Pascal to wideout Steve Briscoe to take a 6-0 lead.

“We called that play at the line of scrimmage because I didn’t see a safety over the top,” Pascal said. “I liked my chances with that match-up between Briscoe and the defender. I knew he would be able to beat him, and it worked. That gave us confidence for the rest of the game.”

The Untouchables controlled the ball the majority of the game behind the running of the Pittsburg Ruff Ryders Men’s MVP Carl “JR” Kirkland. Kirkland took a 65-yard pass from Pascal to set up what turned out to be the deciding score. Kirkland also got into the end zone, completing the two-point conversion.

“I was excited to win the award,” said Kirkland. “To be honest, I’m a team player and I think my whole team earned this honor. I could not have done this by myself.”

The Untouchables went on to win 14-13 in a back-and-forth battle that came down to the last drive, as A-Fo-Sho-Win scored on a slant pass to Marcus Davis but failed to convert on the extra point in the Celia’s Mexican Restaurant Men Championship Game.

Pick 6 Flag Football also included for the first time a women’s division tournament – and the women proved to be more than just pretty faces. The Lady Pirates, led by the Pittsburg Ruff Ryders’ Women’s MVP Jaynette Lancaster-Walton, defeated the Purple Rangers 7-0 in the Celia’s Mexican Restaurant Women’s Championship Game.

“We had such a great time out there,” said Lancaster-Walton. “I think this was a great tournament that was put on. There were so many people out here today that I had not seen in years. And to have the opportunity to play in front of my friends and family was surreal. It was also a rewarding feeling to see the community out together enjoying themselves, having fun, being active and interacting in such a positive way was truly awesome. I can’t wait until the next tournament.”

Getting the community together in a safe and fun environment is what Pick 6 Flag Football is all about – plus providing competitors an opportunity to showcase their talent.

Given the tragic circumstances surrounding the recent death of 2-year-old J’yonn Carr, friends and family showed up to the tournament with heavy hearts. The tournament was dedicated to his memory.

“I thank you guys for putting this tournament on,” said J’yonn’s uncle Bryan Mingo of the A-Fo-Sho-Win team. “This tournament took my mind off the things that occurred this week for the day. It was very good to see family and friends congregating together and for just one day, having fun seeing one another. In this area, there are not many events going on like this. So this is wonderful to have this tournament each year, and I wish that it can keep going on year after year. As long as it is being held, I will be a part of it.”

The next Pick 6 flag football tournament is scheduled for late March to early April. The tournament will include kids and co-ed divisions. All interested in participating or coaching the kids division should call Keyon Johnson at 925-354-8201, Michael Beavers at 925-325-0482 or e-mail pick6ff@yahoo.com or onkeypr@gmail.com.

– Contributed by Keyon Johnson