Fort Huachuca, AZ -- It came down to the final play, but the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Mustangs defeated the Fort Huachuca Black Knights by a one-point margin with a final score of 14 to 13 in the Turkey Bowl game Nov. 18 on Buljalski Field.
The Mustangs continued their winning streak by retaining the Turkey Bowl Commanders trophy for the third year in a row, in spite of the Black Knights' best efforts. The flag football game is a friendly competition between Air Force and Army to promote camaraderie, build esprit de corps and collect food for the Chaplain's Food Locker program on Fort Huachuca.
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jeffery Jaggers, defense coach, said he was "ecstatic with how the Black Knights played" in the Turkey Bowl, with only four weeks of practice time before the big game. Jaggers explained that two months or more of practice is ideal. This year the volunteer turnout was larger than in previous years with players having more depth of experience in both offense and defense. Jaggers said the volunteer coaches were "very appreciative of the Black Knights' command teams being supportive by allowing them time to attend practices and volunteer." He added that "because of how good this year's game was, expectations for next year's game will be raised."
Fort Huachuca's Chaplain's Food Locker was the big winner. As part of the annual Turkey Bowl, donations of nonperishable food items totaled 2,200 pounds of canned and boxed food, according to Cpl. Benjamin Sepulveda, chaplain's assistant. The 304th Military Intelligence Battalion donated over 900 pounds of food, winning the 2016 Turkey Bowl Chaplain's Food Locker Drive Top Unit Contributor Award. Sepulveda said the Chaplain's Food Locker was grateful for the help they received in collecting.
"It was amazing how many Soldiers came out to volunteer, assisting with collection and weighing the donations. Thanks to the 40th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, the United States Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and Garrison for their support," he said.
Upon the completion of the football game, an awards ceremony was held concluding the Turkey Bowl followed by a Senior Commander's Right Arm Night.
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