Why is it call the Turkey Tussle?

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Because both teams fight a lot.

A pregame bench-clearing ‘tussle’ between both teams broke out while senior introductions for Muir were taking place.

The screaming and shoving match began when a Pasadena coach brought a group of players to where Muir players were gathered. It didn’t take much to figure out what was going to happen next.

A player from Muir pointed to a player from Pasadena. The coach tried to hold back the Pasadena player but both players were soon jawing at each other, facemask-to-facemask.

Both benches emptied and the ‘tussle’ -- like a mosh pit at a punk concert -- moved from the middle of the Rose Bowl’s field to about the 30.

I didn’t see any punches get thrown, but that doesn’t mean none were thrown.

After the teams returned to their benches, one of Muir’s coaches stayed on the field, waving his hands in the direction of the Pasadena bench.

He was probably screaming, ‘What did you think was going to happen’ at the Pasadena coach. I would have been.

-- Jaime Cardenas

-- Image from www.birdsofoklahoma.net