Being at home for the week, I had a few options for games. But I wasn’t 100% sure what days I could be around. After one round of the Chuck Funke Bowl, I was back in New York on Thursday for the last of the Chuck Funke Bowl games.
There were a couple of options. Iroquois was hosting West Seneca East while McKinley was hosting Kenmore West at All-High Stadium. And though I hadn’t seen Kenmore West before, I had been to All-High and didn’t feel like driving into Buffalo for a game. And I had gone a while without seeing Southwestern.
Southwestern was playing Akron at Akron in the Class C Chuck Funke Bowl.
So, Thursday started driving down to Pittsburgh to visit my dad. And then heading north to Mercer. A quick stop in Greenville and to the bank. Before finally heading northeast to US19 and onto I-79 to I-90 and followed the toll road to Buffalo. But exited in Cheektowaga and headed east, and north to Akron. It was my first time ever in the town.
#63 – Akron v. Southwestern
I’ve seen these teams before. Southwestern several times. And Akron once before when they played at Alden in another consolation game. Akron is in the preliminary plans of getting a new stadium. Their old stadium is grass with a tight track wrapped around the field. With very little sideline. The old concrete stands on the home side sit along a small slope from a parking lot for busses.
The first half was tightly contested, and it seemed like it was going to be high scoring. I had forgotten my winter jacket at home. So did my best in just some light winter gear. By halftime, it was 14-14 and I thought a similar second half would commense.
It did not.
The second half was scoreless, but with some excitement. Before going to overtime.
In the overtime, Southwestern was stopped on a long possession. And Akron scored on a passing play to claim the Chuck Funke Bowl, 20-14.
After the game, I had the long 3-plus hour drive home. Again avoiding the toll road to Buffalo, and then taking I-90 from Orchard Park southwest to Erie and back along I-79 to I-80.
That night, I finished photos, and got ready for the next day. On Friday, I was seeing a new team in a new stadium. The southside of Pittsburgh has several teams I hadn’t seen yet. And especially their home stadiums such as South Park, Baldwin, Bethel Park, Brentwood, Upper St. Clair, Steel Valley, or Clairton. But many of them, I had seen the team play. But only one team hosting on Pittsburgh’s south side I hadn’t seen before. And that was the South Park Eagles.
I drove south toward Pittsburgh and stayed on I-79 to Bridgeville. Drive east along many meandering streets and roads through Upper St. Clair and Bethel Park. Driving right past USC’s stadium as it prepared for a playoff game as well. Into South Park Township, down Corrigan Dr to the South Park Fairgrounds where the school campus feels disconnected from the rest of the community. The hills playing a big part in that. The high school, elementary school and stadium complex all at seemingly different levels. The drive up from the field to the parking lot is 106 steps higher than field level.
#64 – South Park v. Mohawk
I had seen Mohawk in the past. Both at home one game, and more recently at Ellwood City during the Covid season with no fans.
Mohawk was the decided underdog, but kept Eric Doerue in check for the most part. Taking a 9-0 lead and hanging on to a slim 9-6 halftime lead.
In the second half, though, Doerue scored twice to give South Park the breathing room to win, 19-9.
The drive home was easier with less traffic. I drove north along PA51 to the Liberty Tunnel. And took that into Pittsburgh. Following Bigelow Blvd to stop and visit my dad. And then, headed out to downtown for a stop at Pizza Parma for a Steak Ranchero Hoagie. And then headed home along I-79 to US422.
In the morning, I had another long drive planned. Waking up early, I headed east along I-80 to I-79 to I-90 to I-86. Taking that to the Panama exit. For my second CSP game of the season.
#65 – Clymer/Sherman/Panama v. Gowanda/Pine Valley
I had been to Panama many times in the past. This was my 5th trip to Panama, New York. And 17th time seeing CSP play. But this was my first time seeing Gowanda/Pine Valley. I had plans in the past for a game at Gowanda. But that game was cancelled before I could attend.
The game was surprisingly high scoring in the first half. CSP played catchup and trailed 24-22 at the break. Very unlike the Wolfpack squad.
But after coming out from the break, CSP ran away with it. Winning 51-24.
After the game, I headed west on NY476 into Pennsylvania. Passing through Clymer along the way. PA8 south to Union City and US6 south into Meadville. Getting dinner at Burger King of all places. And then over to Bender Field. I wanted to get there early as parking in Meadville can be problematic.
#66 – Greenville v. Cambridge Springs
This was only my second game at Bender Field. My first time here was for a Maplewood-Reynolds playoff game. This was the second time I had seen Greenville-Cambridge Springs this season. The last time I saw the same matchup twice in a year was Randolph and CSP in New York in 2023.
This was my 77th time seeing Greenville play. And 6th time seeing Cambridge Springs. The winner would move on to face the Wilmington-Reynolds winner. Which most likely was going to be Wilmington.
In the first half, Greenville struggled, letting Cambridge Springs score twice to keep it close, at 13-12.
In the second half, Greenville WR Justin Schell had another touchdown to give Greenville a 27-20 lead. Cambridge Springs answered with their own touchdown, but went for two to take the lead. Greenville stopped the conversion attempt and held on to win, 27-26.
After the game it was an easy drive home. Taking I-79 south to I-80 into Ohio. And OH7 south toward home.
ECONOMICS
For the weekend, I drove 1,152 total miles. And spent a total of $123.48. Of which $37.12 was for gas, $78 was food, and $8.36 was for tolls.
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
66 Games
125 Teams
46 Stadiums
12 States
67 New Teams
35 New Stadiums
1,636 different teams
530 different stadiums
1,526 total games
NEXT WEEK
For Week 13, I will be back in New York for the Section VI Championships at Highmark Stadium for Thursday. And then two WPIAL Finals at Norwin High School on Saturday. With a playoff game sandwiched in between somewhere in Pennsylvania.
For photos from this game, and others this weekend, click HERE.
For photos from previous weeks and seasons, visit http://www.flickr.com/sykotyk/sets/