Fifty years ago, Ron Marler was in his second year as head coach of the Kirkwood Pioneers and Jack Jones the tenth of the Webster Statesmen. The game was played in Webster Groves at War Memorial Field. Kirkwood was 6-2-1, a fairly good season and Webster was 4-5. The game was played in front of 8,000 spectators.
In the first quarter, on their first possession, Kirkwood marched 57 yards on ten plays to score. Tom Dionne scored on a run from the one-yard line. On Kirkwood's second possession, they drove 87 yards on eleven plays, to score their second touchdown, from the three-yard line, by Mark Miller. Both extra points were good, making the score 14-0.
Late in the second quarter, Kirkwood fumbled on their 23-yard line and five plays later, Webster scored on a George Robnett carry from the one-yard line, the extra point was missed. Then, early in the third quarter, Kirkwood's Willie Jackson fumbled and, midair, Dan Sprick grabbed the ball and ran 35 yards for a second touchdown. George Robnett scored on a two-point conversion, tying the score with Kirkwood 14-14.
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The second fumble and touchdown scared the Pioneers. Midway in the third quarter, Kirkwood chose to attempt a field goal from the 21-yard line. Rich Smith had successfully kicked five field goals during the 1974 season and the ball holder, John Le Fort, was a senior and had been the starting quarterback since the past year. Smith kicked the ball and Le Fort remarked, "it was high, but Smith had to kick it from the right hash mark, so we were not in front of the goal. From where I sat, that ball could have been right of the upright, but it was close. When the referee raised his arms, I knew we had the game."
The Kirkwood defense did the rest of the work and there was no scoring in the fourth quarter. After having lost the Turkey Day Game for five consecutive years, the Pioneers were now on a two-game win streak, winning the 1974 Turkey Day Game 17-14.
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This year celebrates the 115th varsity contest between the 126th football teams of both schools. In varsity meetings at the Turkey Day Game, Kirkwood leads the series 46-38-5. In the record of all varsity games ever played, Webster leads that series 54-53-7–which, at one game, has not been that close since 1916. 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 woodland1.mixlr.com, starting at 10 AM.
May the Frisco Bell ring for you this Turkey Day!
