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Turkey Brawl cooks at DE Turf

Annual event honors Bill Conway, raises money for scholarship
The Wild Bills team took the Pumpkin Pie Division with a 16-11 victory over 302 Black. Shown in back are (l-r) coach Matt Morgan, Luke Azzanesi, Brooks Leonhartt, David Adili Khams, Brenner Short, Channing Smith and coach Anderson Smith. In front are Braddock Smith, Grant Conway, Pierce Conway, Mason Jack, Mason Trench, Eric Uffelman and Ryan Morgan. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
December 2, 2025

“Live like Bill” was the theme at the second annual Turkey Brawl at the DE Turf complex Nov. 29, when more than 400 middle and high school lacrosse players honored Bill Conway, a lacrosse advocate and former board member at DE Turf. 

The six-versus-six play day honors the legacy of Conway, whose passion for lacrosse and youth development left a lasting impact on the community. The Turkey Brawl gathers players, families and fans for a day of competitive and friendly lacrosse games. Conway’s three sons play in the Cape lacrosse program. 

“Bill was always a positive voice on the sidelines,” said sister-in-law Michelle Smith. “He made friends with the opposing teams anywhere we went, and he was always the biggest supporter for his boys and all the boys they played with. We all say ‘Live Like Bill’ because we will all be better humans if we embody some of his traits in our lives in his honor.”

Conway died Sept. 29, 2024, and the Turkey Brawl honors his memory by raising funds for the Bill Conway Memorial Fund. 

The Turkey Brawl has grown from nine teams in 2024 to 21 teams this year. 

“Doubling our participation from last year shows the strength of support from our Delaware and Maryland community for the Bill Conway Memorial Fund and the values Bill represented,” said DE Turf Executive Director Dan Yearick. “It’s a privilege to bring teams together for great competition while honoring his legacy and supporting such an important cause. The tournament continues DE Turf’s commitment to community-focused events that combine competitive play with charitable impact. The event raised thousands of dollars for the scholarship fund in Bill Conway’s name.”

There were four divisions – the Mashed Potatoes Division, the Pumpkin Pie Division, the Stuffing Division and the Cornbread Division. Each division winner was presented with a Turkey Brawl Cup.

Taking home the cups this year were the Wild Bills, the Turkey Pros, Turf Turf Turf Sahur and the Choptank Chompers.

 

Wild Bills’ Grant Conway of Cape, right, shoots past 302 Black’s Prentice Griffin of Caesar Rodney in the finals of the Pumpkin Pie Division.
Wild Bills’ Braddock Smith of Cape, right, plays close defense on 302 Black’s Tanner Smith of CR.
Wild Bills’ Grant Conway of Cape speeds the ball away.
Wild Bills’ Mason Jack of Cape plays defense on 302 Black’s Tanner Smith of CR.
Wild Bills’ Channing Smith of Cape looks to go to the goal in the finals of the Pumpkin Pie Division.
Wild Bills middle Mathew Popovich of Cape drives on Gio Gregg of Stephen Decatur in the 12-9 win over the Maryland Boys.
Wild Bills’ Luke Azzanesi of CR looks to go to goal in the 16-11 win over 302 Black.
Wild Bills goalie Mason Trench of Cape makes an open-net save in the 16-11 victory over 302 Black.
Wild Bills’ Eric Uffelman of Cape, right, checks Maryland Boys and Stephen Decatur’s John Fohner.
Wild Bills’ Brenner Short of Cape cranks the rock in the 12-9 victory over the Maryland Boys.
Wild Bills’ Mason Jack goes to the goal on the Maryland Boys.
DE Turf Executive Director Dan Yearick speaks with attendees as Bill Conway’s widow Kristin and his three sons, Hayes, Grant and Pierce, look on.
Bill Conway’s sons Pierce and Grant chomp down on the victor’s drumsticks.
Mathew Persaud wins a face-off for the Sussex Tech squad in the win over Woodbridge.
Sussex Tech’s Malen Winkleblech dodges on a Woodbridge defender.
Sussex Tech’s Nicholas Travitz speeds the ball into the Woodbridge defensive zone.
Sussex Academy’s Jack Mezaros puts a move on a Middletown defender.
Each division winner was presented with a Turkey Brawl Cup.
Bill Conway’s widow Kristin thanks the players and fans for a successful event.
Dom Ciglinsky speeds the ball upfield for the Billy Burns Gravy Train team.
Vaughn Brooks plays close defense on Allie Reynolds, with Porter James looking to assist.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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