2021 Week 16 (Pennsylvania)

2021 Week 16 (Pennsylvania)

What season would it be if I wasn’t at the PIAA Championships? Of course I was going to be in Hershey. And it had a semblance of normalcy this year that was utterly lacking last season. We also had a large contingent of PFN personnel there to cover Pennsylvania’s title games.

For me, in a rare choice, I headed down Wednesday night. Late at night because I picked my daughter up from school, and we had a night out together before I’d be gone for a considerable amount of time. Or, so I thought.

So, I left late and arrived at the hotel around 1am. And some minor issues, that were ironed out later, got me to Thursday morning. Where we assembled at Hersheypark Stadium as a crew at 1130am.

Much easier this time dealing with the stadium. Though the stadium was looking quite decrepit. There was no media food between games, just coffee, hot chocolate, and water. Also, there was what looked like a cell tower erected just in front of the scoreboard, blocking part of the home stands from seeing the entire scoreboard. Which was a bit odd.

However, with minor inconveniences out of the way, it was on for some football.

#86 – Bishop Guilfoyle v. Redbank Valley

This was definitely the game with most of my interest. Redbank Valley, who I had seen earlier this year at Smethport, were the first District 9 team to make a state title game since 1992. When Smethport lost to Scotland School, 24-7. Also, Keystone lost in 1989 to Dunmore, 57-18.

Those were the only two times a District 9 team had made it. A rural, mountainous district with less than two dozen schools, mostly small A or AA size, weren’t expected to make it that far.

Bishop Guilfoyle, on the other hand, had made it to four previous state championship games. Three in a row from 2014 through 2016, all victories, and a 10-7 overtime loss to Farrell in 2019. They’re well acquainted with Hershey at this point.

On Thursday afternoon, a large contingent of Red and Black appeared in the visitor stands, decked out and boisterous for the scrappy underdog Bulldogs to go toe-to-toe with the juggernaut Marauders.

And that’s exactly what they did. Bishop Guilfoyle opened the game with a single touchdown in the first half. Late in the 1st quarter, with Redbank Valley giving it their all, they gave up a 1 yard TD run to Bishop Guilfoyle. The Bulldogs regrouped at halftime, and in the second half notched their first score of the day on a 39 yard TD pass, tying it at 7-7.

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

But Bishop Guilfoyle answered quickly, to retake the lead. Again, though, in the fourth quarter now, with 4:38 left, Redbank Valley tied it on a 38 yard TD pass. But just as they did in the third quarter, BG answered quickly, just 1:17 later, scoring on a 14 yard TD run to take a 21-14 lead. A score they’d hold on to to win the Class 1A championship.

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

After the game, with no media food, I headed out to Bob Evans with a friend. Was able to finish processing my photos there, while having turkey and stuffing and a hogshead of sweet tea.

My new laptop is ridiculously faster than my old one. So, getting through a thousand photos, processing them, saving the ones I liked, and uploading them was quite fast.

It was back to the stadium for the 4A game.

#87 – Harrisburg Bishop McDevitt v. Aliquippa

Aliquippa is a fierce team. With 117 enrollment, they would be 2A. But after playing up a class for years, the competitive balance rules forced them to 4A. Where they were playing Bishop McDevitt.

Again, both of these teams I had seen previously. This was the 13th time I had seen Aliquippa, being 8-4 in thos previous games. I had just seen them in the WPIAL Final two weekends earlier. And the 4th time I had seen Bishop McDevitt. 0-3 in previous games. And the Quips were looking for their fourth state title.

In all honesty, the game started like a mismatch. Bishop McDevitt jumped out to a lightning quick 13-0 lead. But Aliquippa scored twice to take a 14-13 lead in the first quarter. A 20-20 halftime tie broke up with Tiqwai Hayes gettingn two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to go up 34-20. After that, it was just holding on to a comeback attempt by McDevitt, scoring on an 18-yard TD pass with 3:02 left, but it wasn’t enough. As the Quips secure championship #4.

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

After that it was back to a hotel. Not the same as the previous night. Though it was still covered by PFN. Finished the photos quickly, and was ready for Friday.

Serra Catholic was the lone team, out of all 12, that I hadn’t yet seen previously. Though Penn-Trafford was just seen for the first time two weeks earlier. But it is getting exceedingly rare to see a lot of new teams at Hershey. Mostly because the same teams keep returning. Such as their opponent, Southern Columbia.

This was their 20th state championship game appearance. 13 in Class A, and since getting bumped to 2A, their 7th straight. With 11 previous state championships. This game, would, make 12 out of 20.

#88 – Southern Columbia v. Serra Catholic

The conversation prior to kickoff was whether this would be a competitive game or not. I was on the side of it being a blowout by halftime. And it seemed like I was going to be wrong. And then I wasn’t.

Serra Catholic answered a first quarter TD with a 56 yard TD pass of their own. But the second quarter? That was all Tigers. A 63-yard TD pass, a 32 yard TD run, and 5 yard TD run had blown it open. It wasn’t a running clock, but it was getting there thanks to a 28-7 halftime lead.

And then it wasn’t, again. Serra Catholic scored twice on two Max Rocco touchdown passes in the third, edging the game closer to a 28-19 deficit after two missed PATs.

The fourth quarter, though? It wasn’t close at all. Southern Columbia DOMINATED. Five touchdowns, 4 in the final 6:15 of the game. To run away with their twelvth state title, 62-25.

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

With Thursday working out well, I headed out to Bob Evans again. This time solo. Had dinner, and finished up the photos. Got them uploaded online and my article up. And was back to the stadium with plenty of time for the 5A game between Imhotep Charter and Penn-Trafford.

#89 – Imhotep Charter v. Penn-Trafford


Economics

Another close game, third of the weekend. Penn-Trafford led 7-6 going into the fourth quarter. And trading touchdowns in the fourth quarter made it 14-14. Setting up overtime. Playing toward the scoreboard, Penn-Trafford settled for a field goal. With Imhotep unlikely to try to tie it, it was do-or-die. The Panthers’ possession went backwards, and ended with a sack on fourth down for Penn-Trafford to win their first state title, 17-14 in OT over Imhotep.

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

It was back to the hotel to prep for one last day of football in Pennsylvania. It was also looking like rain was in the offing.

The Saturday games in PA start at 12pm and 6pm, as opposed to 1pm and 7pm, which helps get things underway faster. And helps with my long trip home.

#90 – Wyomissing v. Central Valley

This was my third straight weekend seeing Central Valley. A feat I don’t accomplish often. Central Valley was also in their third straight state title game. And fourth overall. This same matchup happened in 2020, where Central Valley beat Wyomissing, 35-21.

And it started off with defense. A back and forth field position battle. A missed field goal by CV. Scoreless through the first half. And, having just talked about scoring outcomes earlier, one score I haven’t seen in a game, was 2-0. And Central Valley was driving downfield. Deep into the redzone. And would’ve thrown for the TD, but a one-handed interception by Tommy Grabowski at the goal line saved Wyomissing.

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

However, the willed thought of Wyomissing then giving up a safety was gone instantly as it was returned for a large chunk of real estate. However, Wyomissing was unable to capitalize. And then, with 9:54 left in the game, Landon Alexander ran 27 yards up the left side for a TD. It was the only scoring play of the game. Especially with Wyomissing unable to consistently throw the ball being a run-first, run-second, run-third type of offense. But, being only a single score, they did keep it interesting.

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

For the intermission, I headed to the van, and finished photos there. PFN was planning to have sandwiches and drinks for between games. But, I needed a safe, warm climate free area to finish photos. Didn’t take too long. But then headed back to the VIP alcove on the home side for a sandwich and getting ready for the weekend finale.

#91 – Philadelphia St. Joseph’s Prep v. Mt. Lebanon

Now, with the threat of rain being averted in the afternoon, it didn’t look as promising in the nightcap. So, I just went with my zoom lens camera with rain gear. Also, someone else would be taking the team photo after the game. As I would be making a bee line after the game to the van and getting home. Because I had plans for Sunday.

This was one of those games that, I didn’t think Mt. Lebanon had a chance. Not that they weren’t good. But, I had seen St. Joseph’s Prep dominate great teams. But Lebo would not back down. And as they started confounding the Hawks. Snowballing their problems and their disdain for a competitive game became palpable.

After a quick SJP score, Lebo scored twice to lead 14-7 after twelve minutes. A 21-7 lead looked like Lebo might run away with it, but the Hawks answered with a 5 yard TD run to make it 21-14 with 6:03 left in the half. Scoreless for the final 363 seconds.

At halftime, the rain started. So, I stayed huddled in the home stands. I did miss a bit of the third quarter. With a second photographer, I wasn’t dependent on being down on the field. Got some, essentially, wide-angle shots of the field. But for the fourth quarter I was back on the field.

Mt. Lebanon scored late to make it 35-17, salting away the game. A 4 yard run was all that was needed. It was Mt. Lebanon’s first state championship.

On a personal note, for a few years, I lived in Mt. Lebanon, so it was fun seeing them win a state title. Prior to this year, I had only seen them play twice. In back-to-back weeks in 2004. The season finale hosting rival Bethel Park, and the first round of the playoffs hosting Woodland Hills. Both games were at Mt. Lebanon Stadium.

As soon as the game ended, I was heading for the exit. The 4.5 hour drive home necessitated it.

After getting home, it was a quick sleep, and then getting situated to head to Cleveland. My daughter and I were going to the game.

NFL – Cleveland Browns v. Baltimore Ravens

So, go up 24-3, and win 24-22. This is not how you play football. Lots of issues this season. But, little things like this are just headscratchers. Don’t let up. NFL teams can all comeback if given the chance. You can’t just pack it in.

My daughter had fun, at least. Dancing in the streets.

@sykotyk

Browns win! Browns win! Dancing in the streets! #CustomersMostLoved #SaveIt4TheEndZone @browns

♬ original sound – Sykotyk

With the late return home, decided to just head out to Texas in the morning. Also needed to finish up some laundry for another week long trip away from home. Last of the season.

Economics

For a ‘paid for’ weekend, I did spend a lot. For the 608 mile round trip, just for the high school games, I spent $236. Of that, $163 for food. Without the games catered, it was my only real expense. Two trips to Bob Evans, some Indian on the way home Saturday night, and a couple stops at Wendy’s after the other games. And a stop at the Giant for some hotel room refrigerator stocking. $57 for gas was the trip back from Hershey to Ohio. Though the trip out was free. The low MPG being the culprit there. I also bought a new USB cord for my phone at $16.

Photos of the Week

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

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2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF WK 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF WK 16 Pennsylvania
2021 HSF WK 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF WK 16 Pennsylvania

2021 HSF WK 16 Pennsylvania

Next Week

The only games left, for me, at least are in Texas. The 12 UIL Championships are once again being played at AT&T Stadium. After last year’s split finals (and one game being bumped to San Angelo), it’s back to the four day marathon.

2021 Statistics

91 Games
173 Teams
45 Stadiums

16 States

90 New Teams
27 New Stadiums

1,387 different teams
443 different stadiums

1,261 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/

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