2021 Week 3 (Ohio & Indiana)

2021 Week 3 (Ohio & Indiana)

Week 3 was a long awaited return to Indiana for myself. After COVID had restricted opportunities to visit the Hoosier State, a trip back to Muncie for the CIC Day was circled on the calendar the moment we saw it posted on the schedule.

The CIC Day is when all four league games of the Central Indiana Conference are played at Scheumann Stadium, the home stadium of Ball State in Muncie, Indiana. With that, came finding games to go with it. And an obvious one was on the docket: Delta hosting Yorktown.

In 2018, my first and only trip to see the CIC Day games, a random chance brought us to a Friday night game at Delta’s stadium northeast of Muncie. And we were immediately set on returning. Delta has an amazing game day atmosphere. In fact, it might be one of the best you’ll find. The free food in the parking lot might be the clincher for that title. The booster club goes all out every home game. And has been doing it for decades.

But, that still left Thursday open. And there wasn’t an Indiana option. But, there was an Ohio game going on just east of Indiana. In the small town of Arcanum, between Dayton and Greenville, a televised game against Ansonia was scheduled for Thursday. My first time going there. But not the first time for PFN to make the trip to one of the most genuine small school football stadiums you’ll ever find.

Fans lining the track in folding chairs. Standing around the back of the endline. The stadiums overflowing with fans. And a good matchup to tack onto the festivities.

#19 – Arcanum v. Ansonia

This was a matchup of conference foes. Two new teams for me to see. And one of my new favorite stadiums. Arcanum Booster Stadium should be on the short list of small Ohio stadiums to attend a game at.

In a weird twist, afer trailing 8-0, Ansonia only went for one after their TD. Trailing 8-7 after one. And then 14-14. But with 6 seconds left in the first half, Arcanum connected on a 60 yard TD pass to take the lead. And though Ansonia threatened with a long run to end the half, that was their closest chance to winning. Arcanum would tack on one more score to win, 30-14.

After that, it was a drive to the west side of Muncie for a hotel in the small exit town from I-69: Daleville. The next day was a short drive to the bank in Anderson, just west of Daleville, and then to Cracker Barrel. First time there in about two years. The Coca-Cola Cake was interesting, but was essentially just a really sweet chocolate cake.

#20 – Delta v. Yorktown

Surrounding Muncie, there’s several schools including Delta to the northeast and Yorktown to the west. These two squads are fierce rivals and their game lived up to the hype. Taking the field at a rowdy and crowded Delta Football Stadium, the Delta Eagles crowd was well-fed from the parking lot free buffet of burgers, dogs, pasta salads, mac and cheese, and desert treats like Rice Crispy Treats, cookies, and things I’m sure were overlooked on the multi-table long spread.

All free. All from the booster club to celebrate another opportunity to cheer on their Eagles. The head cook on the grill, there for over two decades doling out some of the best burgers around, is a welcoming presence. Quick to make anyone at home at their stadium.

Delta’s stadium is simple, but holds a crowd. And bursts at the seams with people. Lining the fences around the track. The crowd fills in every available spot to see their Eagles play. The student sections are rambunctious and loud. Decked out in red, white, and blue. Yorktown, too, brought a crowd to populate the far side of the field. Painted against a backdrop of farmland which smelled like farmland. The 7:30 start aided with a picturesque sunset and surrounding inside the stadium. As the large, recently renovated school sits across the large lot to the west.

The game was preceded by celebration for seniors and then a 9/11 memorium. The two teams interspersed along one long line holding US flags. The game began, with a bang, as Delta jumped to a 14-0 lead. A sure victory seemed in the offing. But, Yorktown made it a game and soon, trailed, 14-7 at the half.

Yorktown was down 21-13 and driving with a minute to go. Finally scoring and sending the game to overtime, 21-21.

In the extra frame, Yorktown scored first. A ten yard TD on first down. An seemingly uninteresting extra point was tacked on. And then it was Delta’s turn. And they took advantage of their opportunity. Scoring a short TD to setup the tying kick. And the kick was rough, sailing through the air outside the post, and the exuberant Tigers flooded the field. Winning their heated rivalry game, on the road, in a comeback, a 28-27 victory.

After the game, it was a stop back at the booster club’s grill setup and then headed out to the hotel for the following day’s big event at Ball State.

Indiana high school football may be overlooked nationally. However, the Hoosier state knows how to put on a football game. Not every year, but frequently, the Central Indiana Conference, a small school conference of 8 schools hosts a weekend of league games at Ball State’s Scheumann Stadium in Muncie.

The games start on a Saturday morning, and the four games run into the evening. All four games went off on schedule. Kicking off in three hour increments. These small school crowds may be dwarfed by the small Division I school stadium, but it’s a chance for all the kids in the league to get a chance on a major college’s turf.

Tickets are $10 for the all-day affair. Allowing fans to stay as long as they want for the four games. The weather was warm, but pleasant. Sunny, but not suffocating. The day started with what might be considered the less desirable matchups, and progressed to the battle of 3-0 teams. Though the schedules were set prior to the season.

#21 – Mississinewa v. Madison-Grant

Mississinewa, the Indians from Gas City, took the field for the first game against Madison-Grant. A ‘newer’ school, if you could call it that who were the Argylls. Mississinewa (Mih-Sih-Naw-Wah) would run away with this one from early on, 47-6.

#22 – Blackford v. Alexandria-Monroe

The second game of the day, a rematch from the 2018 CIC Day at Ball State, saw the Blackford Bruins play the Alexandria-Monroe Tigers. A game three years ago ended 70-52. This year, projections were a one-sided affair for Alexandria prevailing. But, after a quick score, the Blackford squad, a consolidation from years ago of the handful of Blackford County schools into one, would make it interesting. Taking the lead. And trying desperately to fend off the Tigers. But, late in the game, a two score lead wasn’t enough and Alexandria would come back for a thrilling, 31-28 victory.

#23 – Elwood v. Frankton

The 4pm game, all of these games being 2018 CIC Day rematches, would be Frankton and Elwood. With some roster limitations at Elwood, the Frankton Panthers would dominate. Winning 37-0 in a grinding victory that they never let up.

It was back up to the press box to wait for the final game of the night to start at 7pm.

#24 – Eastbrook v. Oak Hill

And the night cap was perennial power Eastbrook, who have appeared in multiple state finals. Oak Hill, their opponent on this somber day, would struggle against them and slowly fade away. Eastbrook would run it up to a laughably easy victory, 50-13.

And with that, another CIC Day at Ball State would come to an end. A tradition that seems so natural and repeatable, yet just lacking elsewhere in the world of high school football. A conference day of all teams playing league games at a major venue to provide a much enjoyed chance to play on the big field. To dream bigger than the high school field.

After the game it was back to the hotel. And then Sunday morning, leaving Daleville for Ohio. Dropping off my friend at his house, and then driving another three hours home. Getting into Youngstown about a half hour prior to the Browns game. And watching it at home while finishing up photos.

Photos of the Week

2021 HSF Wk 3 Ohio

2021 HSF Wk 3 Ohio

2021 HSF Wk 3 Ohio

2021 HSF Wk 3 Ohio

2021 HSF Wk 3 Ohio

2021 HSF Wk 3 Ohio

2021 HSF Wk 3 Ohio

2021 HSF Wk 3 Ohio

2021 HSF Wk 3 Ohio

2021 HSF Wk 3 Ohio

2021 HSF Wk 3 Ohio

2021 HSF Wk 3 Indiana

2021 HSF Wk 3 Indiana

2021 HSF Wk 3 Indiana

2021 HSF Wk 3 Indiana

2021 HSF Wk 3 Indiana

2021 HSF Wk 3 Indiana

2021 HSF Wk 3 Indiana

2021 HSF Wk 3 Indiana

2021 HSF Wk 3 Indiana

2021 HSF Wk 3 Indiana

2021 HSF Wk 3 Indiana

2021 HSF Wk 3 Indiana

2021 HSF Wk 3 Indiana

2021 HSF Wk 3 Indiana

2021 HSF Wk 3 Indiana

2021 HSF Wk 3 Indiana

2021 HSF Wk 3 Indiana

2021 HSF Wk 3 Indiana

2021 HSF Wk 3 Indiana

2021 HSF Wk 3 Indiana

2021 HSF Wk 3 Indiana

Next Week

For Week 4, it will be back to western Pennsylvania for most of the weekend. Thursday starts with a few options. But a long trip to Woodsfield, Ohio would be my first time seeing Monroe Central. Hosting Buckeye Local, a team from the Ohio River Valley I’ve seen before. Monroe Park will also be a new venue. Friday will be a trip east to Strattansville, co-host of the co-op Central Clarion. I had passed on a previous trip to see Clarion-Limestone play a home game on a Thursday during ALF Week. But, went to Medina Highland in Ohio instead. Since then, Clarion was forced to form a co-op and created one with their chief rival: Clarion-Limestone. But, they do split home games between Clarion and Strattansville.

Saturday will be a noon kickoff in suburban Erie for McDowell against Butler. My first trip to Gus Anderson Field. And Saturday night will be my 73rd game in Greenville when they host a Saturday night game at Snyder-Stone Stadium against Wilmington.

2021 Statistics

24 Games
48 Teams
16 Stadiums

5 States

24 New Teams
9 New Stadiums

1,321 different teams
425 different stadiums

1,194 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/

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *