The ARC of Ocean County brought 65 eager players with special abilities to challenge themselves to a friendly game of flag football, coached by the varsity players from the Manchester Hawks.

In this game of football, there’s strategy, action, and celebration. It’s all made possible through a partnership between Manchester High School and the ARC of Ocean County.

“You can just see the smiles on their faces, both the ARC players and the Manchester players. It’s awesome to see,” said Manchester Hawks head coach Tommy Farrell.

Sarah Lockwood and Jennifer Muldoon had never played before, but both picked up the game in a hurry.

“Trying to catch the ball, trying to catch the flag, trying to support my teammates,” said Muldoon.

“My brother, when he was little, he played football, soccer and baseball,” explained Lockwood.

In this Turkey Bowl, it’s not about finishing first or second. It’s about community partnerships and making new friends.

“It gets them out of program, it gets them out into the community. It’s just a day filled with joy and excitement and teamwork,” said Monical Godin, the wellness coordinator for the ARC of Ocean County.

It’s life lessons taught and learned for the players and the coaches.

“If you take a moment to look around like they’re just having fun. That’s just one thing you can take away, just have fun,” said Aidan Phillips-Frazee, captain of the Manchester Hawks Varsity football team.

The talented players can take what they learned there back to their family backyard matches.

“Everyone is the same and they all want the same things in life,” said Godin.