2018 Week 13 (Pennsylvania)
There was just so much going on this weekend, that it’s hard to get it all written down. Especially on a short week. Many games across Pennsylvania and New York were postponed. Altoona went from hosting two games to hosting six games. District 9 couldn’t find anyone to host their games.
Bradford was to host the 1A championship, while DuBois was to host the 2A championship. And Clarion was going to host Clearfield-Cathedral Prep. But the weather undid all those plans. Slippery Rock University suddenly were the hosts of the 4A matchup. While the 1A and 2A games remained in limbo throughout Friday and into Saturday.
But, on Friday, District 7, aka the WPIAL, had two semifinals scheduled in 2A and 5A. Of the eight teams, I only had Peters Twp as a new team for me. But, the game was scheduled for Norwin. And my original plan was to just drive over to Slippery Rock for the Friday night contest.
But, there also was a game between West Allegheny and Gateway at West Mifflin. Norwin and West Mifflin were both places I hadn’t seen a game before. So, I decided West Mifflin would be it.
It would also by my 900th high school varsity game of all-time.
PIAA District 7 Class 5A Semifinal: Gateway v. West Allegheny at Titan Stadium in West Mifflin, PA. #78 (#900 overall) @WPAFootball pic.twitter.com/gZfTpZ7sL7
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 17, 2018
After a scoreless first quarter, the Indians and Gators traded touchdowns, going into the half tied.
PIAA District 7 Class 5A Semifinal: West Allegheny 14, Gateway 14 – Half #78 #900 @WPAFootball @AJWPIAL #WPIAL pic.twitter.com/Nv0p8nfDkQ
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 17, 2018
And in the third quarter, traded four more touchdowns to setup an epic clash in the final frame.
PIAA District 7 Class 5A Semifinal: Gateway 28, West Allegheny 28 – End 3rd #78 #900 @WPAFootball @AJWPIAL #WPIAL pic.twitter.com/3iUGBDSurT
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 17, 2018
West Allegheny took the lead on a 27-yard TD pass on 4th and 2. Gets an interception, and then scores on a 4th and 1 on a 24 yard run. Sending coach Bob Palko to another WPIAL Championship Game in his final season.
PIAA District 7 Class 5A Semifinal: West Allegheny 42, Gateway 28 – Final #78 #900 @WPAFootball @AJWPIAL #WPIAL pic.twitter.com/n5pYjy21bn
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 17, 2018
They face Penn Hills, who beat Peters Twp, for the 5A Championship. That game is at Norwin next week.
PIAA District 7 Class 1A Championship: Rochester v. Our Lady of Sacred Heart at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. #79 @WPAFootball pic.twitter.com/BrygpsjlfE
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 17, 2018
The next day was another drive south. This time to Heinz Field for four WPIAL/District 7 Championship games. 1A, 3A, 4A, and 6A over the course of the day starting at 11am. Their scheduled proved optimistic.
PIAA District 7 Class 1A Championship: Our Lady of Sacred Heart 28, Rochester 6 – Final #79 @WPAFootball @AJWPIAL #WPIAL pic.twitter.com/Beh8UxUW7G
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 17, 2018
After the game, tragedy struck as I broke my camera lens. So, had to resort to my backup. Not as good, but it did its job.
PIAA District 7 Class 3A Championship: Aliquippa v. Derry at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. #80 @WPAFootball @AJWPIAL #WPIAL pic.twitter.com/uxGfc8hPQ4
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 17, 2018
Quips jumped out to a 22-0 lead after the first. And led, 30-6 at the half. Wasn’t much excitement in the second half as it was clear Aliquippa was going to hang on to the victory. Even a late touchdown to make the score a little bit more respectable couldn’t help.
PIAA District 7 Class 3A Championship: Aliquippa 42, Derry 19 – Final #80 @WPAFootball @AJWPIAL #WPIAL pic.twitter.com/8rEWcCQUp1
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 17, 2018
After that it was a bit of a break for the third game. South Fayette playing underdog to Thomas Jefferson’s favorites.
PIAA District 7 Class 4A Championship: Thomas Jefferson v. South Fayette at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. #81 @WPAFootball @AJWPIAL #WPIAL pic.twitter.com/HyHoiRsAxa
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 17, 2018
Again, scoreless, through the first quarter gave way to 31 points before half, as Thomas Jefferson scored three touchdowns to take the lead, 21-10 at the break.
Third quarter was all South Fayette, as they scored three touchdowns and TJ could only muster a single field goal to head into the final frame, trailing 31-24. And the Lions would hang on for the 31-24 victory.
PIAA District 7 Class 4A Championship: South Fayette 31, Thomas Jefferson 24 – Final #81 @WPAFootball @AJWPIAL #WPIAL pic.twitter.com/jv9MePqWoU
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 18, 2018
The night cap would kickoff over an hour after originally scheduled. A matchup between overwhelming favorite, Pine-Richland, against surprise participant, Seneca Valley. The Raiders punched their ticket to Heinz with a victory over North Allegheny. Denying a rematch of one of the better 6A matchups of the regular season.
PIAA District 7 Class 6A Championship: Seneca Valley v. Pine-Richland at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. #82 @WPAFootball @AJWPIAL #WPIAL pic.twitter.com/BflVpuy5K3
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 18, 2018
After another scoreless first quarter, the third of the day, Pine-Richland scored with 5:22 left before the break. On a 29-yard TD pass after an interception.
The Rams dominated the third frame, taking a 27-0 lead thanks to three touchdowns and two extra points, before the teams traded touchdowns in the fourth. Pine-Richland advanced easily, in a matchup against State College next week in Altoona.
PIAA District 7 Class 6A Championship: Pine-Richland 34, Seneca Valley 7 – Final #82 @WPAFootball @AJWPIAL #WPIAL pic.twitter.com/N4mob0txwk
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 18, 2018
By this point, three games were moved to Sunday to be played in Altoona. And District 9 finally settled on a host site for their two championship games. Karns City would host on Monday afternoon as a doubleheader.
After passing up the opportunity for two, or even all three, game on Sunday, it was on for the doubleheader at Karns City. A rainy, cold afternoon. A long drive, thanks to a lot of slow traffic, got me to the game just as kickoff was happening just minutes before the advertised start time.
PIAA District 9 Class 1A Championship: Smethport v. Coudersport at Diehl Stadium in Karns City, PA. #83 @WPAFootball pic.twitter.com/8v6neVX4tP
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 19, 2018
The two teams traded touchdowns to start the game. And Coudersport added another touchdown to close out the first frame, 14-7.
Coudersport scores on a 53 yard TD run and this 2 pt try. Now leads Smethport, 30-7 with 5:18 left in the half. @WPAFootball pic.twitter.com/HWf1XwVM5H
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 19, 2018
But then the floodgates opened. Turnover after turnover gave the Coudersport Falcons a huge advantage. And a lot of touchdowns. Soon, that 14-7 lead ballooned to 36-7 at the half.
Doing his best Usain Bolt impression for the camera. @WPAFootball @Coudersport pic.twitter.com/d4XhDM3GjU
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 19, 2018
Coudersport opened with a 58-yard TD run to set the mercy rule into motion, leading 44-7.
The Coudersport Falcons would hang on to the untoppable lead, to win the game…
PIAA District 9 Class 1A Championship: Coudersport 44, Smethport 7 – Final #83 @WPAFootball @Coudersport @HubberFootball pic.twitter.com/SYZfRcA7YZ
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 19, 2018
…and the championship.
Coudersport Falcons are District 9 Champions. @WPAFootball pic.twitter.com/sPqmz68rLH
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 19, 2018
With the early fnish of the first game, the 7:30 kickoff of the second game was a bit of a wait. Nearly 90 minutes between games. Very few seemed to stick around for both. A long drive for the quite impressive 1A crowd meant little hanging around. And very few seemed to have shown up early for the second game.
PIAA District 9 Class 2A Championship: Ridgway/Johnsonburg v. Brockway at Diehl Stadium in Karns City, PA. #84 @WPAFootball pic.twitter.com/1D47fGlZhc
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 20, 2018
In contrast to the first game, scoring was at a premium, and penalties were a dime-a-dozen.
Another game this weekend ended with a scoreless first quarter. But, Brockway opened it up late in the half to take a 7-0 lead.
PIAA District 9 Class 2A Championship: Brockway 7, Ridgway/Johnsonburg 0 – Half #84 @WPAFootball pic.twitter.com/yHqMkE7WPN
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 20, 2018
A lead they’d hold going into the final frame.
PIAA District 9 Class 2A Championship: Brockway 7, Ridgway/Johnsonburg 0 – End 3rd #84 @WPAFootball Rovers fans watching a good one. pic.twitter.com/8hjESIMWCd
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 20, 2018
But, a 16-yard TD run by Ridgway would knot things up. And then, with 25 seconds left, Dush (#4) would take it in from six yards out to take the lead and the game…
PIAA District 9 Class 2A Championship: Ridgway/Johnsonburg 14, Brockway 7 – Final #84 @WPAFootball pic.twitter.com/eNkYjMuxnF
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 20, 2018
…and the boy’s basketball championship.
Ridgway/Johnsonburg are District 9 Champions in Class 2A. @WPAFootball pic.twitter.com/xRJZ0l5jrC
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 20, 2018
Wait, what?
Turns out, with the game getting bumped around, the correct championship plaque was left at DuBois. So, a stand-in was used for the presentation.
As a reward for their tireless effort to host the two games, Karns City was rewarded with another hosting duty next weekend. The 2A championship between Wilmington and Ridgway/Johnsonburg will take place right back at Diehl Stadium on Saturday at 1pm.
Elsewhere of note, the Ohio playoffs are now in their semifinal round. The titles will be played the next week at Canton’s Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
Tennessee, also, is to their semifinal round for Division I classes. Division II classes have already conducted theirs, and is just waiting until the following weekend for their three state championship games.
Class 1A
Cornersville v. Lake County
Greenback v. Whitwell
Class 2A
Waverly Central v. Peabody
Meigs County v. Trousdale County
Class 3A
Alcoa v. Upperman
Stratford v. Covington
Class 4A
Greeneville v. Maplewood
Springfield v. Haywood
Class 5A
Beech v. Henry County
Knoxville Central v. Knoxville Catholic
Class 6A
Maryville v. Oakland
Ravenwood v. Whitehaven
The three Division II class championships scheduled for the following Friday are:
Division II Class 1A
Lebanon Friendship Christian v. Nashville Davidson Academy
Division II Class 2A
Franklin Battle Ground Academy v. Nashville Christ Presbyterian Academy
Division II Class 3A
Brentwood Academy v. Memphis University
Also, for next weekend, a team I saw earlier this year will be playing for the Indiana state championship. Marion Eastbrook played at Ball State earlier this year. They play for the 2A Championship against Western Boone on Friday afternoon.
And New York’s state titles start Friday.
Friday, November 23rd
12pm Class D – Clymer/Sherman/Panama v. Moriah
3pm Class A – Cornwall Central v. West Seneca East
6pm Class C – Susquehanna Valley v. Dobbs Ferry
Saturday, November 24th
12pm Class B – Batavia v. Glens Falls
3pm Class AA – Rochester Aquinas v. New Rochelle
All five New York state championship are played at Syracuse University’s Carrier Dome. Usually, you’ll see the games split between Friday and Sunday. But, this year they’re played on back-to-back days.
Of the ten teams playing, I’ve seen four of them. Clymer/Sherman/Panama, I’ve seen earlier this season twice. Once in Panama, and the Section 6 championships at New Era Field. Clymer is located just a few miles north of Corry, Pennsylvania. The Clymer district encompasses the furthest southwestern corner of the Empire State.
Also, Cornwall Central, Batavia, and West Seneca East–another team from earlier this year–are on my list.
2018 Season
35 New Stadiums
76 New Teams
146 Different Teams
53 Different Stadiums
50 Different Cities
84 Games
Total
1018 Different Teams
297 Different Stadiums
267 Different Cities
906 Games
For more photos of this week, click HERE.
For more photos of this season and previous seasons, visit http://www.flickr.com/sykotyk/sets/