2025 Week 2 (Ohio & Kentucky)

Week 2 did not go as planned. Before the season started, the likely stopping point was going to be another trip to New Jersey for the Battle at the Beach. However, scheduling changes had made that less likely. And a six-game event at Glenville State in West Virginia got my attention.

And I stopped looking for anything else. Other than my Thursday night game to go with it. However, that quickly fell apart when I learned that the Glenville State games were off as the stadium renovations weren’t able to host that many games. It was too late for New Jersey. And I wasn’t driving to Delaware on short notice for the Mid-Atlantic Pigskin Classic. Detroit was an option for their Prep Gridiron Classic.

And instead, I looked at Kentucky and saw a couple of games that were bucket list items. Paris and their new orange turf that I learned of last season. And games at Boyle County as part of the Rebel Bowl.

And that’s what I went with. But first, I had my Thursday night game in Ohio. I was considering a trek east to Rimersburg for the Union/ACV v. Redbank Valley game. But the length of the drive and other reporters there, decided to find a game in Ohio and one was reasonably nearby in Garrettsville. A town I’ve become rather familiar with lately.

So, only Thursday I headed west along my usual route from home. Going north along OH11 to OH82 and following the Warren Bypass to OH82 and continuing past the Center of the World toward Garrettsville.

I got into town just before 6:30, as I was running late. I had planned to be over earlier but that wasn’t going to work. I got parked in the school lot, and hobbled my way over to the field. My bad ankle giving me lots of problems. But, I was in the stadium and on the visitor side getting situated for the game.

#16 – Garrettsville Garfield v. Warren JFK

I had seen both teams before. And years ago I saw Garfield host Crestwood. With the old wooden bleachers that have since been replaced with much nicer and newer metal stands. This was a quick moving game as neither team threw the ball much. And at only 14-7 at the half, it seemed it was going to stay close. The third quarter said otherwise. Garfield pulled away throughout the second half, winning comfortably, 36-14.

My article on PA Football News:
Garrettsville Garfield Outlasts Warren JFK 36-14 on Thursday Night

The next morning, I had a long drive planned to get to Kentucky. With a 7:30pm kickoff, I had time. But didn’t have that much time. I went through Akron and stopped in Wadsworth for gas. At one of the cheapest stations in the area.

Quickly followed I-71 southwest to Columbus and picked up my friend. And then back onto I-71 and then taking a shortcut to Paris via US62.

Stopping at one of the only Ponderosa Steakhouses in Ohio in Hillsboro. It was quick and reminded me of years ago when Ponderosa was still quite popular. The only other two I know about are in Butler (PA) and Vandalia (IL).

After a short 30-40 minute break, it was back onto US62 and south to the river on US68. And crossing the river on the US68 bypass of Maysville, Kentucky.

Arriving into Paris just after 6pm.

I parked up by the school and walked down the driveway to see the orange field open up in front of you as you walk. I got photos of the front entrance. The field named for the Cleveland Browns’ second head coach: Blanton Collier.

It definitely took some time to adjust your eyes. The orange is searing. Paris is one of two schools in town, the other being Bourbon County. The small city school sits just north of downtown and the stadium sits in a cut out valley behind the school. The stands line up with a rock cut behind them, though are quite far from them.

#17 – Paris v. Williamsburg

This was my first time seeing the Williamsburg Yellow Jackets. I had seen Paris once before at the Montgomery County Rec Bowl in Mt. Sterling years prior.

The game itself was a fun one. Starting with a first minute safety, the game quickly went one-sided in favor of Paris. Leading to a 30-0 halftime edge.

I did meet one Paris alum on the sideline who I had been tagging on Twitter. I had hoped to catch up with him after the game but it seems we missed out.

In the second half, Williamsburg started with an onside kick. And a touchdown. And an onside kick. And a touchdown. And an onside kick. And a touchdown. Now only down 30-20, it felt like all the air had been let out of the stadium. Paris’ comfortable lead had vanished. Now they were in a close contest.

In the fourth quarter, they made it 30-26. After another defensive stop, Williamsburg had the ball but couldn’t capitalize. Paris’ next possession went for six and a 36-26 lead. One more touchdown still kept it close, and Paris hung on, 36-32 in what had seemed like a throwaway game at halftime.

My article on PA Football News:
Paris swats pesky Yellow Jackets from Williamsburg in orange turf tilt

After the game, I went up into the stands to get some more stadium shots. Including the midfield logo. Looked around for the Dr of Sports, but eventually gave up and headed to the hotel.

I stopped for something to drink at a Speedway, only to find they had no ice. I did buy two glass bottles of Ale-8-One, a Kentucky staple. Best described as a combinaton of sprite and ginger ale. And then drove to the hotel in Lexington. A free night cashed in, so no expense.

I got photos finished by early morning, and then got situated to leave the hotel right near kickoff of the Ohio State game. A short drive south past Nicholasville along US27, and cutting over to Danville to stop at Wings and Rings to catch the second half of the Ohio State v. Texas game.

Also got to watch some of the Odessa Permian game from The Star in Frisco.

With the late finish of the Ohio State game, and catching the last few minutes of the Toledo-Kentucky game that was going on back in Lexington, I was over at the stadium southwest of town by 4:30pm.

Though I hadn’t been to Rebel Stadium for a game, this was not my first time here. I had seven several Death Valley Bowls in Stanford and driving up through Danville was not out of they way sometimes for my Saturday game. Though the Rebel Bowl was never the same weekend. Same as my one trip to Danville for the bowl games at Danville High School. But I had stopped by to see this stadium which is right off the bypass southwest of town.

#18 – Pulaski County v. Bryan Station

This was my first time seeing Bryan Station. I had seen Pulaski County at the bowl doubleheader at Somerset back in 2014. Pulaski County also being in Somerset. There wasn’t a big crowd as the strong afternoon sun made the field hot and shade minimal.

This was another close game turned blowout. As it finished, Pulaski County kept finding the endzone and won, 49-27.

My article on PA Football News:
Pulaski County wins Rebel Bowl opener over Bryan Station (PHOTO GALLERY)

Between games, I went out to my car and had some free water I had in a bottle. The stadium had no cashless food options, except to order food via app, and pay a premium for the convenience.

I sat in the AC for a while before heading back to the field. To get ready for Lexington Christian and Boyle County.

#19 – Boyle County v. Lexington Christian

I had seen Boyle County before in the Little Ceasars Mercer County Bowl in Harrodsburg years ago. But this was my first time seeing Lexington Christian.

This was like Friday night. Boyle County methodically increased their lead to 21-0 until Lexington Christian finally scored. And scored again. And scored again. Tying the game at 21-21. But that was it for them as Boyle County found the endzone with under 2 minutes remaining. To go up 28-21. A last gasp drive ended on 4th down in the redzone. Giving Boyle County the home win in the Rebel Bowl.

My article on PA Football News:
Boyle County hangs on to win over Lexington Christian (PHOTO GALLERY)

After that, I had a very long drive home. With the quicker than expected finish, I headed over to Walmart and bought some snacks and a gallon of sweet tea. Then drove up to Lexington looking for cheap gas. Instead, stopping at a Speedway to get ice for my tea and also getting another Ale-8-One.

From there, it was a quick drive around the KY4 circle of Lexington to I-75 and drove quickly north into Cincinnati and along I-71 to Columbus. Stopping in Groveport at the Sheetz for a few gallons of gas to make it back to Wadsworth. Dropped my friend off in Columbus, and finished my drive to Wadsworth with a second wind after passing Burbank. I got gas for $2.459. After gassing up, I was back on the road. And the sun was just starting to come up.

Along I-76, I continued east from Ravenna to I-80 to I-680 and followed the familiar path home through Youngstown. Getting to sleep, finally, around 8am. Another fun weekend.

ECONOMICS

For the weekend, I drove 921 total miles. And only spent $141.59. The hotel was a comp by using points. And the gas was partially split. Tallying just $57.82 on the weekend. Food was $83.77 and most of that was the Wings and Rings, as the order of wings and the onion rings made for a pricy meal to watch Ohio State. That and the stop at Ponderosa. No other expenses on the weekend.

I did add three new teams to my tally. Including two new stadiums. Though, I realized after the fact that I had started my 2025 season from 533 stadiums and not 534 stadiums. As I had made a correction when I had omitted Arcanum (OH) from my list.

So, every update I had made up until now had been one stadium off. Which I rectified in these updates posted here. And in my overall list.