2020 Week S8 (New York)

2020 Week S8 (New York)

Although Pennsylvania had one more week of games, my plans had already switched to New York and ending my season with four weekends in the Empire State. Primarily because the United X schedule had finished, and only one previously scheduled Saturday game made the 6 hour drive to Philadelphia a bit overkill.

My plans were fairly certain for Saturday. Though there were a lot of Saturday night games, I had settled quickly on the Silver Creek/Forestville v. Maple Grove game. Maple Grove being a small school, Class D, located just northeast of Chautauqua Lake. It wasn’t expected to be much of a game. One cool aspect was that, as was several teams in southern New York, they were scheduled to play their home games at a turf field. That being just down the road in Dunkirk. A place I had yet to see a game at.

Saturday afternoon was already lined up with covering the CSP game in Panama. I had been to Panama a few years ago for their game against Salamanca. A 40-0 victory that wasn’t really that close. A biproduct of one team just being much better than their competition. This game, against Cassadaga Valley/Falconer wasn’t expected to be much better, honestly. But, they’re a team I’ve enjoyed seeing games, including two Sectional Finals and a State Final. Also a road game at aforementioned Silver Creek/Forestville.

So, that just left Thursday and Friday. Thursday plans disintegrated almost from the start. So, instead of heading up a day earlier than my friend, I decided to forego any Thursday game and we could carpool for the weekend. Which saved a bit of gas, if nothing else.

We took the Thurway until Hamburg, and went up past St. Francis High School, and stopped at Peg’s Place for a late lunch. I had the Patty Melt, which was flagged as one of their specialties. And it was good. Along with the German Potato Salad. The photo doesnt’ do it justice.

After that, it was to head up route 5 across the Buffalo Skyway into town.

Now, my Friday night was covering a team I had planned previously. Knowing they had expected us the weekend my New York plans had fallen through and I opted to go to Philadelphia instead, I wanted to fulfill my obligation. Though that game was 15-7, this one, wasn’t expected to be that close.

Lewiston-Porter is the furthest northwestern team in New York’s southwestern protrusion. Located just north of Niagara Falls, Lewiston is the town where I-190 crosses into Canada. The Niagara Scenic Parkway, which was once a near continuous parkway–now gapped from just east of the state park and not continued north until near the Whirlpool overlook–follows the western edge of the US’s New York border and curls east near Fort Niagara. An abjunct parkway that no longer had plans to connect to Lake Ontario State Parkway about 40 miles east of there. A strange parkway that definitely feels out of place with it not being connected to anything to the west.

So, we drove through Niagara Falls and saw some of the rapids upstream, but opted to continue past the falls, past the nearly shuttered Rainbow Bridge customs station, and up the Parkway. And then took a brief break at Lake Ontario. It was a bit hazy, so couldn’t really see Toronto’s skyline some 30 miles away. This was only my second time at Fort Niagara.

Then, it was back down NY18 through the Town of Porter, where, just east of Youngstown, sits Lewiston-Porter High School along a rural stretch of road. It’s a huge complex. Where the old stadium now strictly for soccer, and the new stadium, Blakeslee Field, just to its north along a row of athletic fields to the east of the schools.

Lewiston-Porter’s game against Cheektowaga was supposed to be on a Saturday, but had been moved back to Sunday night. Which had made it untennable. But, I had intended to make the trek up this way at some point in the future. My previous northern most Section 6 game had been in Tonawanda when they hosted Springville a few years ago.

#116 Lewiston-Porter v. Iroquois

The game started with Lew-Port doing everything they could to keep it close. And they did, kinda. But it was clear Iroquois was better. After an Iroquois TD to make it 20-0 midway through the second quarter, Lew-Port returned the kickoff for a TD. And that was it. After that, Iroquois’ dominant offense laid waste to Lew-Port’s defense. Eventually winning, 68-6.

After the game, it was a drive south, back to Hamburg, and a stop at the Stadium View Inn, not far from what is now Highmark Stadium. It was decently priced, but incredibly small rooms. The bathrooms especially. Also, something involving law enforcement was happening when we arrived. Not sure what, but they cleared out not long after we got there.

The next morning, we headed over to Louie’s Texas Red Hots around the corner from the stadium. Normally it was 24 hours, but due to Covid it had hours it was closed. It’s got a diner feel, including the counter you can sit at just down the line from where the red hots are assembled with chili, mustard, and onion.

I had the Mushroom and Cheese Omelet that I had last time I was here. Though the potatoes weren’t nearly as good as they could’ve been. We both agreed they were a tad ‘off’. Not bad, just ‘off’. I also had the Chicken Souvlaki as a side. Now, that was spectacular.

Took US20 west of the stadium, through Hamburg and Irving, and stopped in the Seneca Nation to top off the gas tank, and then hopped on the Thruway to Westfield. After passing through “Historic” Westfield, headed down through Mayville, stopping to show my friend Chautauqua Lake’s stadium and then cut down to Panama. Stopping for the welcome sign. Though, it bugs me that I typoed that tweet. Forgot to add /Falconer to the name.

When we arrived at the school, a MedEvac was situated at the east end of the field, along with emergency vehicles. Nothing was wrong, per se, but we couldn’t enter the field from that corner, as the town uses the field as a MedEvac landing location. So, we walked around the field to enter up the hillside from the south side.

#117 Clymer/Sherman/Panama v. Cassadaga Valley/Falconer

Which led me to see the ‘Jack Keeney Community Field’ sign for the first tiem. My only other time here was through the northeast corner entrance and missed that there was a sign here.

Now, sadly, again, wasn’t expecting much of a game. But, the Golden Cougars came to play. And CSP had another slow start. A TD was called back on a return, which seemed to put the team into a funk. And the game was scoreless through the first quarter.

Though it was a bit of a struggle against a determined Cassadaga Valley/Falconer team, CSP did put up two touchdowns in the second quarter to get a comfortable, though suspect, lead at the break. As I mentioned to my friend at halftime while waiting for the second MedEvac to take place, if Cassadaga Valley/Falconer could keep it close through the third, the fourth quarter would be a long, long, endeavor. But, if CSP could jump out with a couple TDs, the fourth quarter should breeze by.

Though, I was not expecting what happened.

CSP returned the opening kickoff for a TD. Then, CV/F failed to cover the kickoff, instead treating it like a punt and letting it go untouched until CSP could pounce on it. A TD on the very next play. And then, CSP’s Derek Sears intercepted a pass and returned it for a TD. Three touchdowns in only 44 seconds. A ridiculous span that saw me trying to get three photos, tweets, and keep track of it all, while the tweets were pending for a while due to the slower connection in Panama. Which meant they did get sent out of order. I had my zoom at 154mm, but with my phone, tablet, and notepad all out, I couldn’t adjust the zoom when the interception happened. So, just snapped away. Luckily, auto-focus was able to track him, AND I had full auto-focus enabled, so even though they got very close to me, he was just far enough for zoom to catch him. And I got a few good, though incredibly up close, shots of it.

2020 HSF Wk S8 New York

At least then, the game slowed down a bit. A comfortable lead by CSP. Cassadaga Valley/Falconer realizing their opportunity to win was now thoroughly eroded, meant the fourth quarter, moved briskly. Especially a long drive by the Golden Cougars ended with their lone TD of the game. And also, like Jamestown, had a female kicker and nailed her one and only extra point chance of the game. CSP 41, CV/F 7.

After the game, we talked to Coach Harper briefly, and then headed out to Dunkirk. The game had been moved back to Silver Creek originally. The Grape Bowl being a little grass field that I had been to previously. But, then the game was moved back to the turf at Dunkirk. At that point, despite it being a potentially one-sided contest, we were still planning on covering it.

We got into Dunkirk, and took a bit longer than we had planned. As we cut through Fredonia from Westfield via Brocton, and had planned to stop in town near the Orange Bowl, Fredonia’s field. However, no place we checked had indoor dining, and we headed to Dunkirk and past the school to the shoreline and had settled on Demitri’s on the Lake. We were starting to cut it a little close. But luckily they were very fast serving the food.

We both had the Greek Chicken Dinner that was one of the specials. And it was phenomenal. Greek Chicken, with feta and spinach. The potatoes weren’t the best. Though the Tzatziki sauce complimented everything. Only $11 each. Not a bad deal at all.

Then, it was over to the stadium and got in about a half hour before kickoff.

#118 Silver Creek/Forestville v. Maple Grove

One thing that was a shock about Dunkirk, is that the stadium seems very small for what feels like a larger town. Only on one side of the field (the far side abuts a creek), and the press box is built into the second floor of the school. The restrooms and lockerrooms are located in the school running right behind the stands. The field complex sits right along the street to the north, and gave plenty of opportunity for fans to sit or stand on the sidewalk and look through to watch the game.

The game? Oh. This wasn’t close. Unfortunately, Maple Grove’s struggles are numerous. If not for their TD drive down huge, I was seriously expecting to find out their offensive output was negative yardage. Silver Creek wasn’t exactly running it up, but the points came easily to the Black Knights.

Three touchdowns in the first quarter. Four touchdowns in the second quarter. Unlike at Lew-Port, the clock did run some in this second half. And I’m still not sure what, if any, the official mercy rules are in New York. Because, as far as I can tell, there isn’t an official running clock rule. Or, if there is it is seldom enforced. Though, sometimes games do have a running clock. This one did. Silver Creek/Forestville 56, Maple Grove 8.

After that, we headed down route 5 to Ripley, and got onto I-90 after the thruway ended. Luckily, the rain that was forecast and flirted with us throughout the night, stayed south of us. And we didn’t run into any remnants of it until we got near Edinboro.

The total weekend cost was $134.32 and only 546 miles. Much shorter than my trips to Virginia or Philadelphia. Most of that was splitting the hotel cost, gas, and toll. Though, those were all split. Food, then, including dinner at Peg’s Place and Demitri’s on the Lake were quite a bit of it.

Photos of the Week

2020 HSF Wk S8 New York

2020 HSF Wk S8 New York

2020 HSF Wk S8 New York

2020 HSF Wk S8 New York

2020 HSF Wk S8 New York

2020 HSF Wk S8 New York

2020 HSF Wk S8 New York

2020 HSF Wk S8 New York

2020 HSF Wk S8 New York

2020 HSF Wk S8 New York

2020 HSF Wk S8 New York

2020 HSF Wk S8 New York

2020 HSF Wk S8 New York

2020 HSF Wk S8 New York

2020 HSF Wk S8 New York

2020 HSF Wk S8 New York

2020 HSF Wk S8 New York

2020 HSF Wk S8 New York

2020 HSF Wk S8 New York

2020 HSF Wk S8 New York

2020 HSF Wk S8 New York

2020 HSF Wk S8 New York

2020 HSF Wk S8 New York

2020 HSF Wk S8 New York

Next Week

My Thursday plans fell through already. Portville had a Saturday night game scheduled, but was rescheduled to Thursday. Then, it was cancelled when Cattaraugus-Little Valley forfeited the game. Portville is currently looking for a game, if possible. But, even if they’re playing Thursday night it’s probably not going to happen for me.

Friday night, the current plan is to travel to Salamanca for their game against Randolph. I was there earlier this year for my first New York game in a snow storm. I had wanted to see a game there without the snow and this might be the opportunity. If that falls through, there is a game in Gowanda. And Saturday games are CSP hosting Fredonia at Sherman. And, assuming the drive is possible, a two hour drive north to Wilson for a Saturday night game.

Friday, April 30
Salamanca v. Randolph

Saturday, May 1
CSP v. Fredonia (@ Sherman)
Wilson v. Akron

Only new team for me would be Akron. Though Sherman and Wilson would be new stadiums for me. Hopefully Covid doesn’t disrupt things too much. Assuming Saturday happens, the first game will be my first ever HS Football game in the month of May. Which isn’t much, but is cool that I’d have seen games in January, February, April, May, August, September, October, November, and December.

2020 Statistics

118 Games
219 Teams
83 Stadiums
15 States

123 New Teams
72 New Stadiums

1,287 different teams
406 different stadiums

1,156 total games

For more, and larger, photos from this weekend, click HERE.

For photos from previous weeks and seasons, visit http://www.flickr.com/sykotyk/sets/

2020 HSF Wk S8 New York

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