Coach Steve Von Schnauzer came into his 2nd-ever Thanksgiving game with a little different mindset than most of his games. He heard his brother Maynard was in town, and would see him, his wife Yvonne, and his son Ozzie after the game. The last time he coached a Thanksgiving game was in the FCAA, where his University of West Burlington Blackhawks fell to the Vulpes Fulva University Fighting Fennecs 94-82 in the semifinals at the Carson City Classic, played at the 777 Arena in Carson City, NV. That time, his wife and son stayed home in Burlington, IA and they had their feast when he returned home.

He used the news as motivation, wanting the Rapids to put on their A-game and hopefully win in front of his family, which showed in the 1st half as they took a 10-point halftime lead going into the locker room.

Shortly after the Rapids took the floor to warm up for the 2nd half of play against the Howlers, the coach’s cell phone buzzed with a text message from the Lilac Dome’s head of security, telling him that his son, wife, and brother wanted into the locker room. Steve returned the text with a smile on his face, telling him to let them in.

The game continued and the lead grew, despite an attempted comeback from the Montana Howlers in the 4th Quarter. When the final horn blared, the Rapids had won the game in dominating fashion 91-70, though Von Schnauzer insisted that his team shake paws with the Howlers after the game out of respect and sportsmanship.

When the team returned to their locker room, it was transformed, with a large buffet table in the middle of it, centered by 4 turkeys, stuffing, biscuits, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, candied yams, 2 hams, several pumpkin and pecan pies, and even a 6-legged turducken, which is generally an award given to a football team on that day. Yvonne and Maynard got together to make sure the feast was big enough for the team, bringing a warmer smile on the coach’s face. “Thank you,” he quickly said, “I’m already thankful that you’re here to celebrate Thanksgiving with me, but it certainly makes me more thankful that we can share it with the team, they truly deserve it, especially with how they played tonight!”

Steve’s brother Maynard then replied, “It’s our pleasure, bro, we know you’ve been working hard with your new team, we figured they could enjoy the feast with us as since they’re a big part of your life now, that makes them a part of ours as well.” Yvonne then poured glasses of wine for everyone in the locker room, then raised her glass proposing a toast. “To togetherness,” she said, “as it brings us happiness on this day, may it continue to bring success this season and others to come!” Everyone then raised their glasses to salute, as the coach’s son Ozzie led the grace, followed by everyone plating up and enjoying the locker room feast.