Posted on by Sykotyk

2022 Week 16 (Pennsylvania)

2022 Week 16 (Pennsylvania)

The Pennsylvania Finals had been held at Hershey’s Hersheypark Stadium since 1998. With the state finals starting in 1988, it took four seasons before all four games were held at just one location. Before Hershey, and after those first four seasons, the games were held at Altoona’s Mansion Park Stadium. In the first and fourth year, games were held all over. Penn State, Shippensburg, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area, and South Stadium in Pittsburgh even.

In the second and third years, was the start of a single host. The two largest games were held at Hersheypark Stadium, while the two smallest games were held at Memorial Stadium in Middletown. Just nine miles from Hershey. Very similar to Ohio’s setup at Stark County between Massillon and Canton.

This year, the titles were up for grabs. And four main locations were bidding. Penn State, the notable long shot, was probably the best stadium, but worst option. Hershey, though very unlikely to win the bid after years of apathy from their hosting. Altoona, who had a history in the PIAA finals seeming to be the favorite. And then Cumberland Valley High School. An overlooked bid, though one not far from PIAA’s headquarters. And fairly close to Hershey and the state’s capital.

So, of course, Cumberland Valley won the bid. Though I’m not thrilled with the location. For personal reasons it’s about just as far as Hershey is for me. I would’ve much prefered Altoona or Penn State. But, understand their deficiencies. Cumberland Valley just felt like a step down.

After my brief slate of games the week prior, I had just three days before heading out for the state finals. Figuring that these might be the last games of the season for me.

On Wednesday, I got my daughter after school and spent some time before heading out. I left in early evening and took a new route. In years past, going to Hershey, I would always take I-80 to I-99 to PA26 to US322 and down to the capital region. So, this year, I took US30. I headed out US422 around New Castle to I-79 to avoid the toll. With it after rush hour, I took I-279 to I-579 and followed Blvd of the Allies to I-376 and through the Squirrel Hill Tunnel.

Then, took US30 through southeastern suburbs to Greensburg, the bypass, and a quick stop in Latrobe. Wanted sweet tea. Then, back east on US30 along the Loyalhanna Creek. Going through Bedford. Now, this stretch from Bedford to Breezewood is a common shunpike route. Then, another new stretch of US30, from Breezewood to Chambersburg. Very hilly and curvy route. Took a bit longer than expected. But, was a fun route. I’ve been on every mile of US30 in PA except the stretch from Chambersburg to Gettysburg.

Then I-81 north to Carlisle. Got into the Days Inn located conveniently on the hellscape that is US11 between I-76 and I-81. The hotel is showing its age, but it was decent. Bed was stiff. Which is a major detractor for me.

In the morning, Cumberland Valley High School is just four miles down US11. Located right on the highway. It’s a stark contrast to the usual route from the hotel to Hershey. Instead of rolling bucolic hills giving way to a huge theme park and the aptly named Giant Center.

Instead, it’s four miles of hotels and heavy industry. Warehouses, drop yards, and hotels. And the school comes up suddenly on the left.

I got to park in the media lot directly behind the District Support Facility at the north end of the stadium. Checked in and got my pass as well as, a first for the PA finals, a food voucher. Not only was their food in the cafeteria between games, they also gave a voucher for use at the concession stands.

#94 – Union v. Steelton-Highspire

This was the fourth time I had seen Union. Previously, undefeated in games. A win over Cornell during the Covid season. Along with a win at Shenango. And then the WPIAL Final at Acrisure Stadium two weeks earlier. This was the second time I’ve seen Steelton-Highspire. Previously in the state final win over Jeannette.

I was really expecting Union to go toe-to-toe with the Rollers. However, Braylon Thomas was bottled up quite well and Steel High slowly rolled ahead with a lead. Winning it, 22-8. This was the first state final with two safeties. Both on holding calls in the endzone resulting in the points.

After finishing up the postgame festivities on the field, I stopped at my truck and then walked over to the school for the media hospitality room at the cafeteria. Got the photos finished and had some fairly decent strip steaks and rice. In a brown gravy. Was decent. But was free. So, definitely worth it.

Then it was back to the field. I stuck with shorts, even with the weather getting colder. The conditions were about as good as you’d expect in Pennsylvania in December.

#95 – Aliquippa v. Bishop McDevitt

This was the 15th time I’ve seen Aliquippa play. And 5th for Bishop McDevitt. I had yet to see the Crusaders win a game. However, the Quips were 10-4 in games I had seen. And I had seen them, like Union, in the WPIAL Finals at Acrisure Stadium.

McDevitt scored first, but Aliquippa’s inability to score a PAT left them down, 7-6. Two more scores by McDevitt made it 20-6 at the half. And then it just got worse. McDevitt added two more scores in the third quarter, including Tyshaun Russell scoring his fourth of the game. Reaching the elusive Al Bundy level of production.

Aliquippa would score twice. First on a pick six by Tiqwai Hayes and then a 1 yard run in the fourth. But, a soul crushing fourth by McDevitt saw a 2 yard run on 4th and goal make it 41-18.

After the postgame, I headed out quickly to the hotel to start getting photos finished. Being done after midnight and posting them online and on my Flickr.

I was up until about 5am and up at noon.

#96 – Westinghouse v. Southern Columbia

This was my 9th time seeing Westinghouse. And 7th seeing Southern Columbia. Surprisingly, I didn’t see a single Pittsburgh City League game this season. My Thursdays at home were preoccupied, and the closest games I could get to would be in Akron.

Westinghouse would take an early lead. But, Southern Columbia would answer and convert the PAT to lead, 7-6. Southern Columbia would score, and smartly, go for two, to take a 15-6 lead. Ensuring a TD by Westinghouse would still trail. And that’s what happened. A 54 yard screen pass went for six, and with two, went 15-14 in favor of SoCo. A 61 yard pass extended their lead, to 22-14 early in the fourth. And another TD made it a two score game. But Westinghouse wasn’t going to go away easily. With 3:08 left, a 53 yard TD pass cut the deficit to 29-22. But, that’s as close as they’d get. Southern Columbia would add another score in short order. To win, 37-22.

Between games, it was back to the cafeteria for the three hour gap between games. I got my photos of the early game finished. The school served a pasta bar for the meal. It was decent. The Chicken Alfredo was decent.

#97 – Pine-Richland v. Imhotep Charter

This was my 8th time seeing the Pine-Richland Rams. And 6th time seeing Imhotep Charter. Other than one game at Philadelphia in the spring season, the rest were state championship games.

Imhotep Charter started with a 52 yard pass. Pine-Richland would tie the score going into the half. In the third, Ryan Palmieri would score again. This time on defense with a 37 yard pick six. And then, after a quick turn around, scored on a 1 yard TD run to go up 21-7. Palmieri would throw a 30 yard pass to Luke Rudolph in the fourth quarter, to go up 28-7. The Panthers of Imhotep Charter would score again, but not enough. Pine-Richland would win, 28-14.

After the game, it was quick drive back to the hotel. And once again, for the second straight night, the key wouldn’t work. So, I had to take all my gear down to the lobby to get it recoded. But, I did get the photos done while watching two great movies.

The second half of Stand By Me, and then A Christmas Story.

For the last day, I had to vacate the hotel by 11. Which meant I had some time to kill. In years past, the Saturday games were at 12pm and 6pm. Which was nice to get out and head home a bit earlier. While Thursday and Friday were at the usual 1pm and 7pm. Not this year. So, after checking out, I went two buildings down to the Waffle House. First time at a Waffle House in a while.

And then, headed down to the stadium for the final day.

#98 – Belle Vernon v. Neumann-Goretti

This was one of the worst games. And then one of the best finished. The two teams accounted for roughly 168 yards in the first half. Willie Schwerha would get on the board first, with a 25 yard field goal. Later, on a punt attempt, the snap sailed over Schwerha’s head and bounded to the endzone. When he moved to corral the balll, he went down in a heap, though. Not even attempting to find the ball as his knee had given out. Very difficult injury to witness. Neumann-Goretti’s Samuel Hobbs would recover the ball for six. A two point run made it 8-3. Late in the third, Quinton Martin, the star for the Belle Vernon Leopards, would take a 16 yard catch in for six. The two point try failed. But, Belle Vernon led, 9-8. And then, the finish. The fourth quarter saw Neumann-Goretti convert a fourth down and have four cracks at the endzone. Leading to two fumbles. One recovered by Belle Vernon. Only setting up a first down at the goal line to try and avoid the disastrous safety. They did. Despite Neumann-Goretti getting a 4th timeout. And then a penalty giving them breathing room. A rare, and a first for me, 9-8 victory by Belle Vernon.

I was pretty proud of the line. In Pittsburgh, Belle Vernon used “Beachburgh” on one of their signs. A reference to their home field being called “The Beach”. So, if they reference it in Pittsburgh. Why not for the state finals?

Between games, I headed back to the cafeteria. On Saturday, they had Dijon Chicken and scalloped potatoes. Got the photos done in short order. And back to the field. For what, I figured, would be my final game of the season.

#99 – Harrisburg v. Philadelphia St. Joseph’s Prep

This was my 4th time seeing Harrisburg. And 8th time seeing St. Joseph’s Prep. I had yet to see Harrisburg win. Two previous state championship losses, and a loss at Akron Archbishop Hoban. For St. Joseph’s Prep, my first time seeing them was at Wheeling Island Stadium in the Rally in the Valley. They squeaked past McKeesport, 27-26. And then 4-2 in state title games. Including a loss last year to Mt. Lebanon and previously to Pine-Richland. Their wins were over Pine-Richland, Harrisburg, Central Dauphin, and Central York.

This game was such a one-sided affair. Two first quarter touchdowns and three more in the second. Taking a 35-0 halftime lead. And starting the running clock. In the fourth quarter, St. Joseph’s Prep would get a 16 yard TD pass on a trick play. Harrisburg would score, but it wouldn’t be enough to end the running clock. As St. Joseph’s Prep would win, 42-7.

After the game, I was at the Harrisburg huddle for their postgame presentation of their trophy. The St. Joseph’s Prep presentation happened quickly and I wasnt in position to get it. So, I tweeted this out instead. And it did numbers:

I did get the lineup in the endzone. However, the ‘hype video’ cameraman was blocking the view. So, I didn’t get a team photo.

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

After the game, I made a quick exit to the parking lot. I headed out taking the recommended route east from the stadium along US11 north. Which was probably the slower route. Took PA114 to I-81 and my curtailed my usual route to take US11 north toward US322 west, bypassing Duncannon.

It’s really nice that US322 is mostly finished to State College. Though, there’s a two lane gap just east of State College. I followed I-99 south to continue on US322 through Phillipsburg. I stopped for some sweet tea. And four hot dogs.

Instead of jumping on I-80, I stayed west on US322 through Clearfield, turning off the road to I-80 to stay on US322 through Reynoldsville and Brookville. I almost forgot to get on I-80 near Strattanville. It was a pleasant drive. Lonely. No one else on the road that late at night. I then did get on I-80 into Ohio. And then, just a short jaunt home from the Hubbard exit.

I was fairly certain I wasn’t making it to Texas this season. Had personal plans for Monday and having the shot at making it for Friday and Saturday was a possibility. But, it was looking like the Class 6A final was my last game of the year.

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

2022 HSF Wk 16 Pennsylvania

SUMMARY

For the weekend, I drove 543 miles. It was less than a tank of gas. I did spent $3 for a gallon to top off the tank before leaving Ohio. Gas there was $2.999 at the time, while it was mostly mid $3.50 range in PA at the cheapest. It’s since gone down in Ohio to $2.679 when I was home. I spent an additional $17 at Waffle House and $7 at Sheetz on the way home. On the way to Mechanicsburg, I also spent $7 at Dollar General. Total cost was $35 for the weekend.

For teams, I’ve seen all twelve teams previously. While Union, Aliquippa, and Belle Vernon, I had seen earlier this year. So, 9 more teams specifically for this year. But no new teams overall. Moving the games to Cumberland Valley, though, did give me a new stadium for my list.

Next Week

Right now, there is no next week. Though, I do have something planned. I won’t know for certain until later.

2022 Statistics

99 Games
190 Teams
39 Stadiums
16 States

94 New Teams
24 New Stadiums

1,491 different teams
467 different stadiums

1,342 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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