2023 Year In Review
After the past few years, I finally had what I would call a ‘normal year’ going to high school football games. I ended the season back in Texas at the UIL Finals. But I didn’t start in Georgia as I had the previous two seasons. Instead, I started in a field in South Dakota. Along the way were trips to New Jersey and Pittsburgh, as well as state championship weekends in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
As in the past few years, being single with a daughter has made travel much more specific. For the first time in years, I haven’t attended a single baseball game. Primarily my daughter hasn’t wanted to go with me to a game, so we would either stay home or do something else. Now that she’s not a free attendee at even minor league games, paying the money for her to not watch the game isn’t nearly as fun. Though, for football she still comes with me to many of the games locally.
My regular season went mostly as planned. But I relaxed my early playoff schedule. Only making a real effort to be at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh near Thanksgiving. A trip to Iowa was cancelled halfway through the season as scheduling just wasn’t going to work out. I did spend two weekends in Texas. Western and East Texas. As well as a weekend in Kansas and Colorado. But, in the end, I attended 86 high school football games in 2023.
In games I’ve attended, there were 4,228 points scored, for an average of 49.16 points per game (a 1.32/game decrease from last year). The cumulative score was 3228-1000, for an average score of 37.53-11.63. Compared to 36.31-14.17 last year. A surprising drop in total points and a larger margin with losing teams struggling to reach the two touchdown average I had seen regularly.
The most points I saw were Benjamin’s 82 points in their 82-34 3rd quarter win in UIL Class 1A Division II title game. For 11-man, the most was DeSoto’s 74 in their 74-14 state championship win over Summer Creek in the final game of the season. Both games were held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
For this season, here are some statistics.
States I watched games in:
19 – Pennsylvania
16 – Texas
12 – New Jersey
11 – North Dakota
8 – Ohio
5 – Delaware
3 – Colorado
3 – Nebraska
2 – Kansas
2 – New York
1 – South Dakota
1 – Maryland
1 – Illinois
1 – West Virginia
1 – New Mexico
Championship Games by State:
12 – Texas
6 – Pennsylvania
4 – Ohio
1 – North Dakota
1 – New Mexico
States of Teams I’ve Seen:
38 – Pennsylvania
32 – Texas
21 – New Jersey
20 – North Dakota
15 – Ohio
7 – Colorado
6 – Nebraska
5 – Delaware
3 – Kansas
2 – South Dakota
2 – Maryland
2 – West Virginia
2 – New York
2 – New Mexico
1 – Florida
1 – Illinois
1 – Missouri
Teams I’ve seen multiple times:
3x
McDonald Fort Cherry (PA)
2x
Center-Stanton (ND)
Velva/Garrison/Drake-Anamoose (ND)
Clymer/Sherman/Panama (NY)
Randolph (NY)
Sebring McKinley (OH)
Aliquippa (PA)
Beaver Falls (PA)
Belle Vernon (PA)
Philadelphia Imhotep Charter (PA)
Philadelphia St. Joseph’s Prep (PA)
Most points (one team):
82 – Benjamin (TX) v. Oglesby (12/13, 82-34; F/3rd 5:52) (6-man) (Championship)
74 – DeSoto (TX) v. Houston Summer Creek (12/16, 74-14) (Championship)
73 – Stratton (CO) v. Otis (10/5, 73-6) (6-man)
70 – Wellington (TX) v. Morton (11/16, 70-0)
70 – Gordon (TX) v. Westbrook (12/13, 70-20; F/3rd 3:45) (6-man) (Championship)
Fewest points (one team):
0 – 13x total
2 – Akron Archbishop Hoban (OH) v. Massillon Washington (11/30, 7-2) (Championship)
3 – Kettering Archbishop Alter (OH) v. Cleveland Glenville (12/2, 36-3) (Championship)
Most points (combined):
116 – Benjamin (82) v. Oglesby (34) (F/3rd, 5:52) (12/13, Arlington, TX) (6-man) (Championship)
90 – Gordon (70) v. Westbrook (20) (F/3rd, 3:45) (12/13, Arlington, TX) (6-man) (Championship)
88 – DeSoto (74) v. Houston Summer Creek (14) (12/16, Arlington, TX) (Championship)
82 – Duncanville (49) v. Houston North Shore (33) (12/16, Arlington, TX) (Championship)
80 – Sebring McKinley (42) v. Stryker (38) (10/28, Sebring, OH) (8-man)
Fewest points (combined):
9 – Massillon Washington (7) v. Akron Archbishop Hoban (2) (11/30, Canton, OH) (Championship)
20 – Ocean City (14) v. Pleasantville (6) (8/25, Ocean City, NJ)
20 – Philadelphia Northeast (14) v. Philadelphia West Catholic (6) (9/1, Wilmington, DE)
21 – Toms River North (14) v. Millville (7) (8/25, Ocean City, NJ)
21 – Slippery Rock (14) v. Greenville (7) (9/9, Greenville, PA)
21 – Malakoff (14) v. Franklin (7) (12/14, Arlington, TX) (Championship)
Biggest Blowouts:
70 – Wellington (70) v. Morton (0) (11/16, Canyon, TX)
67 – Stratton (73) v. Otis (6) (10/5, Stratton, CO) (6-man)
60 – DeSoto (74) v. Houston Summer Creek (14) (12/16, Arlington, TX) (Championship)
59 – Center-Stanton (59) v. Warwick (0) (F/3rd, 8:55) (8/18, Center, ND) (6-man)
50 – Center-Stanton (62) v. Parshall/North Shore Plaza (12) (10/14, Minot, ND) (6-man) (Championship)
50 – Gordon (70) v. Westbrook (20) (F/3rd, 3:45) (12/13, Arlington, TX) (6-man) (Championship)
Closest Games (by total score):
1 – (37-36) Manheim Central v. Smyrna (9/1, Wilmington, DE)
1 – (21-20) Catawissa Southern Columbia v. Pittsburgh Westinghouse (12/8, Mechanicsburg, PA) (Championship)
2 – (14-12) Napoleon/Gackle-Streeter v. Mott Hettinger County (8/19, Mandan, ND) (9-man)
2 – (14-12) Beaver Falls v. Munhall Steel Valley (11/24, Pittsburgh, PA)
2 – (28-26) Gilmer v. Bellville (12/15, Arlington, TX) (Championship)
Overtime games:
None
Most Memorable Games:
20230817 HSF Sisseton (SD) 40, WILMOT DAKOTA HILLS (SD) 0, Wilmot School Field, Wilmot, SD
20230901 HSF Manheim Central 37, Smyrna (DE) 36, Abessinio Stadium, Wilmington, DE
20230909 HSF Slippery Rock 14, Greenville 7, Snyder-Stone Stadium, Greenville, PA
20230922 HSF8 Bertrand (NE) 20, TRENTON HITCHCOCK COUNTY (NE) 14, HCHS Falcon Stadium, Trenton, NE
20231024 HSF Mill Creek Tygarts Valley (WV) 34, Hundred (WV) 14, Cosgray Field, Hundred, WV
20231028 HSF8 SEBRING MCKINLEY 42, Stryker 38, Schaefer-Davies Stadium, Sebring, OH
20231118 HSF TEXICO (NM) 44, Eunice (NM) 7, Field of Hopes and Dreams, Texico, NM** (2A)
20231130 HSF Massillon Washington 7, Akron Archbishop Hoban 2, Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, OH** (D2)
20231208 HSF Catawissa Southern Columbia 21, Pittsburgh Westinghouse 20, Chapman Field, Mechanicsburg, PA** (2A)
20231216 HSF Port Neches-Groves (TX) 20, Dallas South Oak Cliff (TX) 17, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX** (5AD2)
I’ll repeat what I’ve written about these games in chronological order.
8/17 – Wilmot Dakota Hills v. Sisseton
( pafootballnews.com article )
Many states across the country kicked off their seasons earlier than Pennsylvania. Utah, Alaska, and Hawaii had a full slate of games two weeks prior to the Keystone State. A few independent teams around the country had started here or there. Much of the country started the weekend of August 18th.
In the upper plains, the Dakotas both started football with a small smattering of Thursday games before the bulk of the schedule commenced on Friday.
In North Dakota, the lone Thursday kickoff game was in Grafton, who were hosting Thompson. While South Dakota had a handful of games ranging from the west (in Dupree), the south (in White River), and the east (in Wilmot).
It was in Wilmot where the host Dakota Hills Grizzlies were taking on rival Sisseton Redmen in an 11-man contest. Dakota Hills is a co-op between three schools: the Wilmot Wolves, the Summit Eagles, and Waubay Dragons. The three small schools combine for roughly 178 total high school students. Which would, as a combined team, put them into Class A territory in Pennsylvania.
However, by their numbers combined, they are able to play 11-man football in a state where 9-man football is commonplace. A half hour away in Sisseton, the school’s Redmen form one single school and boasts 264 students. The town of Sisseton is located in the Lake Traverse Reservation that spans the border with North Dakota. The school has an all-weather turf football field with a full stadium. Wilmot, one of two hosts for the Dakota Hills co-op, has a much smaller stadiums. The realities of co-hosting a team much larger than themselves. A similar situation would be Conneaut Area’s consolidation from Conneaut Lake, Conneaut Valley, and Linesville into a 4A level school from what was once small 1A schools.
However, Wilmot is on the rise. After mother nature wreaked havoc on the field last year when lightning destroyed the lighting infrastructure, the field now claims some of the best LED lighting you’ll find anywhere. Though for the time being, the lights are disjointed from the field. Situated to make room for a realignment of the field to an east-west configuration and away from the old baseball/football hybrid layout that saw the field angle from southwest to northeast.
9/1 – Manheim Central v. Smyrna
( pafootballnews.com article )
What a game. What. A. Game.
This is easily the best contender for game of the year and should hold up to most competitors. Manheim Central jumped out to a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter. It was just pure domination against a Smyrna team that looked shellshocked.
But then Smyrna scored on a 75 yard TD pass. But Manheim Central answered with a late field goal to go up 24-6. An 18-point lead still felt insurmountable. Until it wasn’t.
In just 28 seconds, Smyrna answered with a long TD pass to go into halftime, trailing 24-14.
And added to it. Smyrna with a 65 yard TD pass. And a two point try, made it 24-22 just 57 seconds into the second half. And that insurmountable lead had nearly vanished.
But the Barons hadn’t given up hope. They clawed their way to another TD, to take a 31-22 lead late in the third. And in the fourth, Smyrna secured a TD, and a two point conversion by Dior Mackey. To cut the lead to 31-30.
And then, with 3:06 left, Smyrna scored on a 45 yard TD pass. The run was no good. But, it gave them an epic comeback from 21-0 to lead 36-31.
But it wasn’t over.
Aaron Enterline would snag a 38 yard TD pass, splitting the defenders on a leaping grab, and taking it in for a score. Just 18 ticks left on the clock.
Smyrna couldn’t muster anything in their final plays. And Manheim Central would win an epic game, 37-36
9/9 – Greenville v. Slippery Rock
( pafootballnews.com article )
Greenville has had some struggles this year. After a big loss to Hubbard to open the year, Greenville’s been in some close games. Even when they weren’t expected to be. Tonight, they were a slim underdog. But they held it together under first year coach Michael Menould, and would take the lead late in the first half. A 15 yard TD pass with 1:15 left.
And immediately lost the lead. Slippery Rock would storm down the field, and connect on a 2 yard TD pass to Sam Schwartz. The PAT would tie it. With just two seconds left.
The third quarter would go scoreless. And in the fourth, Greenville would be moving the ball before a devastating pick six by none other than Sam Schwartz. Giving Slippery Rock a 14-7 lead. At the end of the game, Greenville would drive deep into Rocket territory. A 4th and 4 at the Slippery Rock 10 yard line. Just 1:50 left to go. And would throw incomplete. Leading to a situation where Slippery Rock could run out the clock after a harrowing fumble recovered by the running back.
Slippery Rock, 14-7 over Greenville.
9/22 – Trenton Hitchcock County (NE) v. Bertrand (NE)
( pafootballnews.com article )
The game started with a bang. JC Kehr would return the opening kickoff 70-some yards for the TD. And just 12 seconds in, Hitchcock County was trailing, 6-0. Though the Falcons would setup two great feats of field position with a punt rolling to a stop just shy of the goal line. And another the punt bouncing out of bounds at the two. Setting the Vikings of Bertrand up for failure. Doing their best just to avoid a potential safety.
After the first period, Jaxon Unrein and company would get it going for the Falcons. First, Unrein would run it in from 3 yards out. Though the two-point play would keep it knotted at 6-6. But Unrein would not be stopped, and added a six-yard TD run to go up 14-6 after Shuler’s two point run.
But right before halftime, Thunder Nelson–one of the best player names of this season–would snag a 29-yard TD catch while Cooper Langford would get a 2-point run to tie it up at 14-14. Which would hold for the remainder of the first half.
In the third quarter, two things would happen. Cooper Langford would record a 1 yard TD run to give the winless visitors a slim 20-14 lead and the taste of a victory. And Jaxon Unrein would be injured. Taking a big hit on a play, he would get to his feet and leave the field under his own power, though assisted and slow. But later would leave the stadium for medical care.
Leaving backup Jack Baker behind center. The Falcons had a few decent drives.
As the game rolled on, the fog rolled in. At first providing a simple haze. Later, it became thick and started to obstruct the view if you weren’t on top of the action.
Despite the close game, as the Falcons struggled to move the ball consistently, the reality was setting in. Baker would lead the Falcons down the field late in the game. Setting up a 4th down pass play that would find the fingertips of the receiver. But as the pass deflected away, defenced by a Viking player breaking it up, the ball would fall harmlessly to the field. Giving Bertrand the ability to run out the clock.
10/24 – Hundred (WV) v. Tygarts Valley (WV)
( pafootballnews.com article )
In a rare Tuesday night game, the Hundred Hornets hosted the Tygarts Valley Bulldogs at Cosgray Field. Neither team found the endzone for the first 23 minutes of the game. Before the visitors’ Aiden Phares scored on a 12 yard catch. Giving the Bulldogs a 7-0 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, Kaiden Warner would score on a 9 yard run to double the lead, 14-0.
The fourth quarter would see four touchdowns. As Aiden Phares would find the endzone again on another 12 yard catch. while Adam Woods would be on the receiving end of a 47 yard touchdown pass. Meanwhile, Toby Michael would find the endzone twice for the Hornets, from 2 and 6 yards in the fourth quarter. Tygarts Valley wins, 34-14.
10/28 – Sebring McKinley v. Stryker
( pafootballnews.com article )
Joel Seals had himself a game Saturday night. The Sebring signal caller had three touchdown passes and two more on the ground. Sebring McKinley puts up 42 points on visiting Stryker in a back-and-forth 8-man affair.
Seals would start the scoring on a 6-yard run. And add a 4 yard touchdown pass later in the first quarter to Colby Kliffmueller af. In between, Gavin LeBo scores his first of three touchdowns from 47 yards out for Stryker. Adding a 60 yarder and 21 yarder late in the game. Including the game’s final points.
Trailing 12-8 in the early moments of the 2nd quarter, Jacob Cadwell pushes the pile for a 1 yard TD run. Giving Stryker their second lead of the game, 16-12 thanks to a two-point run by LeBo.
Sebring McKinley answers with a 37 yard pass from Seals to Wyatt Sheen while Seals gets two points with his feet. Sheen scores his second of the day after a LeBo score, from 24 yards while Caiden Miller takes a pitch for two points. Sebring McKinley solidifies their first half lead, 28-24 just before the half.
Devon Montague snags a 5 yard pass to start scoring in the second half. Though the two-point pass was incomplete. Stryker takes a 30-28 lead with 7:57 left in the third quarter.
Sebring’s Wyatt Sheen gets his third of the day, taking a lateral from Colby Kliffmueller after a catch, and racing down the left sideline for six. Logan Furry catches the two-point pass to give Sebring a 36-30 lead with 1:09 left in the third quarter.
Seals ends the Trojans’ scoring on a 1 yard run to give the home quad a 42-30 lead. While Gavin LeBo would take a 21 yard pass play in for six, and Montague snags the two-point play, to finish the night’s scoring at 42-38 in favor of the Sebring McKinley Trojans.
11/18 – Texico (NM) v. Eunice (NM) (State Championship)
( pafootballnews.com preview )
( pafootballnews.com article )
In New Mexico on Saturday, the Texico Wolverines hosted the Eunice Cardinals for the New Mexico Activities Association’s Nusenda Credit Union Class 2A Championship Game. Texico started strong with an early lead, overcame some tense moments, and unleashed a fury of points in the third quarter to win comfortably, 44-7 for their first state title since 2008.
Luke Thompson started the scoring with a 15 yard reception from Cade Figg. After some early back-and-forth, it was Texico that found the scoresheet first just over nine minutes into the game.
Early in the second quarter, Maddox Mata would help tie the game for Eunice, with his touchdown catch. The PAT would tie it at 7-7 with 9:07 left in the half. The Wolverines would answer, though, as Eric Davalos scores on a 4 yard catch five minutes later. Giving Texico a 14-7 halftime advantage.
In the third quarter, Cade Figg would run it in himself from short yardage for a score. Doubling the Wolverines’ lead to 21-7 just 3:46 into the second half. A quick turnover would setup Texico with another opportunity, a 4 yard run by Alex Fuentes pushes the lead to 28-7 with just under 18 minutes left in the game. Fuentes wouldn’t be done, however, as he’d score again on a 6 yard run with 1:40 left in the third quarter.
With a comfortable 35-7 lead and Eunice struggling to move the ball downfield, Texico finds the endzone again on the legs of Cade Figg from one yard out. The successful PAT enough to give Texico a running clock with 8:58 left to go, up 42-7. As the clock wound down, Eunice forced a turnover deep in their own territory and recovered. Setting up a possession near their goal line. After taking a knee on a busted pass attempt to avoid a sack, quarterback Jacob Ortega would attempt to avoid another sack by throwing a pass away in the endzone. Though it was ruled a safety. With 1:25 left, Texico received the free kick after the safety and ran out the clock for their well deserved championship on their home field.
Unlike most other states, New Mexico does not generally play neutral site championships for football. Instead, they wait until the matchup is determined and go with a ‘last host travels’ format. In a state with just 160 football playing teams, split into six classifications, the chances of repeat matchups is rather high. So, the higher seed hosts. Unless this particular matchup has been played before in a state final, and then the other team will alternate hosting duties.
#1 Eunice had hosted #2 Texico in a state championship game in 2019. So, the rematch will be played in Texico. Regardless of seeding. Texico also hosted the state championship game last year, when they lost to Jal.
New Mexico is the last of two states that host state championship games at the venues of a participating team. The other is Montana. Many states still split their games up among multiple sites, such as Kansas, where each game is played at a separate pre-selected location throughout the state, at the same time, but are inherently neutral.
11/30 – Massillon Washington v. Akron Archbishop Hoban
( pafootballnews.com article )
This was the 8th time I’ve seen Massillon play. Sporting just a 4-3 record in games I’ve attended. Two of those three losses were at Steubenville. While the third was a state semifinal loss to Cleveland Glenville at Akron’s InfoCision Stadium. The wins were over Steubenville (3x) and at Warren’s Mollenkopf Stadium against Youngstown Ursuline.
Interestingly, I’ve only seen Archbishop Hoban, the Knights, three times. Once at Cleveland Benedictine, once at home against Harrisburg from Pennsylvania, and last year’s Division II Championship Game against Toledo Central Catholic. The Harrisburg game being the only win I had seen of theirs.
This game was a defensive struggle, if only because of Massillon struggling to take advantage of some clear advantages early. One pass nearly becoming a pick-six though falling incomplete. While Hoban was content with a slogging game on the ground playing field position mostly.
Massillon would score the lone TD of the game in the first half, and give up a safety. With the lead, they seemed to avoid risk like the plague.
The end of the game came down to a good drive by Hoban that ended on fourth down with an incomplete pass to the right front corner of the endzone. Massillon got to kneel out the clock to win their first on-field state title with the unusual 7-2 score.
12/8 – Southern Columbia v. Westinghouse
Southern Columbia were playing in their 22nd state championship game. Having a 13-8 record and winning the past six straight state championships in a row. Meanwhile, Westinghouse were in their second straight state championship game. The matchup a repeat of 2022 where the Tigers of Southern Columbia won 37-22. Giving them 14 state championships overall.
This was the game of the weekend if only for the drama. Westinghouse had the game in hand until late in the fourth when Southern Columbia went on a long drive to win, 21-20 thanks to an extra point conversion as the difference maker.
12/16 – Port Neches-Groves v. South Oak Cliff
This was my first time seeing the Indians of Port Neches-Groves. The were two-time state champions. While this was my second time seeing the South Oak Cliff Golden Bears from Dallas’ south side. They were in their third state championship. Winning in 2001 in a game I attended, and losing in 2022.
This was a great, close game with a comeback. SOC, as they’re called, had a 7-3 lead after one, and a 10-9 halftime lead after three more field goals totaled 4 for the half. SOC added a third quarter score to get a comfortable, though precarious, 17-9 lead. In the fourth, PNG opted for a field goal while close to the goal line, cutting the lead by SOC down to 17-12. And taking the lead on a 1 yard run late in the fourth quarter. Giving them a 20-17 lead that they’d hold on for the state championship win.
Those were my thoughts at the time of the games as documented on this site and articles written for PA Football News.
ECONOMICS
The entire year was a mix of work related travel and a couple long trips for games. However, some of those trips were documented in a way that counted appropriate expenses.
For the entire year, I drove 10,504 miles just for football. And gas costs were only $498.47. This magic of calculations thanks to shared costs for some trips, and a lot of trips factored into work trips. So, cost was minimal for just football.
Food, bought specifically during trips involving football games away from home, was $1,253.20. With no tickets purchased for the entire season, the biggest expense was parking in Ocean City split two ways, along with paying for a program. And some souvenirs elsewhere along the way. Another program at Sebring McKinley and a souvenir and raffle ticket at Greenville in Week 3. And a shirt for my daughter at the Aurora-Copley game. A pom-pom for my daughter at South Fayette. And the ticket for the lone college football game of the season at Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, Texas. Which gets lumped into the overall costs because I can’t break it out individually since it was part of the same trip to Nacogdoches including two other nights of high school football.
I account for Tickets & Miscellaneous as well as Miscellaneous. TM and M, in my notes. Miscellaneous are trip-related but not game related Miscellaneous expenses. Such as if I bought a thermos, or a gallon of washer fluid, or a hat, or a shirt, that wasn’t a souvenir. Or any other small item at Walmart or Dollar General or elsewhere. For the entire season, that was just $92.75.
And lastly, is hotel expenses. Which thanks to some very precise use of free stays, discounts, and splitting costs with others, my entire season cost just $70.02 for hotels. That includes trips to North Dakota, New Jersey, Delaware, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas three times, and the Pennsylvania finals. It was, by far, the cheapest I had ever gotten hotel expenses for a season. And likely not to repeat as I used quite a bit of my available free hotel stays. Much more than I earn in any given year.
For a total season expense of $2,015.44.
NOTES and THOUGHTS
There were a lot of fun things this season. The biggest were the trips. Some just for football. And some work related. The season started with work related trip to Fargo that segued into the five games at Mandan’s Starion Sports Complex as well as three more games in the Dakotas. Later in the year, I was back in North Dakota for four more games. Including two “State Championship” games in Minot. One first place, one third place.
Also early in the season were two trips out east. Week 1 took me to Ocean City, New Jersey for the second season in a row. And back again the next weekend for games in Wilmington, Delaware. To end the season, was a trip to Texas for the state finals. And two regular season weekends in Texas. One in Nacogdoches and one out west near Amarillo. Which included a state championship game in Texico, New Mexico.
Two weekends were spent in Nebraska. Including games in Big Spring, Hyannis, and Trenton. Trenton being my game at Hitchcock County. And Kansas coupled with southeast Colorado. A return trip to Springfield and a new game in Walsh. And in Kansas saw games in Weskan and Sharon Springs.
I did pass up games in Iowa and Minnesota this season. But managed to return to Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh for the four WPIAL Finals. As well as my first time on the sideline for both the Ohio and Texas state championships. Sandwiched around a weekend on the sideline at the PIAA state championships.
TRAVEL & FOOD
Travel Notes
I didn’t go too far out of the way for games. I stayed mostly to the upper plains, lower plains, and grasslands in the middle of the country. I did make two mistakes. I went two Fridays without games. One by accident. And one I planned. Early in the year, I had planned to stop in Richmond, Indiana for a game on Friday night before a Saturday game in Quincy, Illinois. But, I was late getting to the game and decided to just pass on seeing part of a game. Later in the year, I had a doubleheader on Thursday afternoon in Canyon, Texas. And a state championship game in Texico, New Mexico. And decided to avoid driving further east for a Friday night game as I did NOT want to miss the game in Texico.
It’s one of those rare times I passed on a game. Especially on a Friday.
Food
IZUMI, Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo isn’t exactly known for seafood. But Izumi in Fargo was great for all-you-can-eat Sushi. I remember it wasn’t as pricy as I was expecting, either.
Lobster Roll, Ocean City, New Jersey
Can’t go to the boardwalk without buying this. Even for the hefty $25 price tag. It is a once in a while extravagance.
This is WINGS & SEAFOOD, Pikesville, Maryland
This place is amazing. And though this time was a touch disappointing compared to previous stops. For the price you can’t pass it up. Though next time I may just get the shrimp only instead of the shrimp and steak.
Sushi Bomb, Robinson Twp, Pennsylvania
I’m a huge Sushi fan, so when I’m in Pittsburgh near the airport this is always high on my list.
Prairie Inn Restaurant, Carrington, North Dakota
Was in Carrington twice this year, and ate here three times. They have a small daily lunch buffet. Usually just one hot item you can eat as much as you want along with their salad bar. One time it was Chicken Fried Steak and another it was Chicken Bacon Mac & Cheese.
Maverick’s Diner, Conneaut, Ohio
If you’re in far northeast Ohio, this last stop in I-90 before entering Pennsylvania is the Truck World truck stop that has a small quick serve place that serves sandwiches and pizza but also very good chicken.
Pizza Parma, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Steak & Ranch Hoagies are the best hoagies. I can only ever find them natively around Pittsburgh. Many small hoagie and pizza shops offer them. It’s shaved steak with French fries, seasoning, and ranch dressing on a hoagie roll that’s wrapped in foil so the whole thing gets a bit soft from the internal steam.
Horst Sub & Deli, New Waterford, Ohio
An amish storefront with many options. Homemade deli sandwiches were well worth it. Lots of bread options including pretzel rolls. But traditional slices of bread with deli meats, veggies, and mustard was well worth it.
Crossroads Dinor, Edinboro, Pennsylvania
A surprising find heading to Sox Harrison Stadium in Edinboro. Spelled Dinor intentionally, it’s a cornerstore that has evolved into a large dining area in several different formats. The food was great. So many options but I settled on the ‘light’ Pulled Pork Mac’n’Cheese and it was well worth the slightly higher than usual cost.
Ponderosa, Vandalia, Illinois
How can you go wrong with the OG of buffets? Very few exist. One in Butler, Pennsylvania. But I found this one in Vandalia, Illinois for long trips along I-70. Just like you remember but with slightly better decor than the one you might remember from Hermitage, Pennsylvania.
Dutch Pantry, Chouteau, Oklahoma
An amish restaurant with a buffet. The daily option changes, but it was chicken fried steak. Unfortunately in 2023, it was the worst quality food of the three times I’ve stopped before. The pies were also lacking their usual variety and quality. And the prices have gone up. Still a good deal, but not the amazing deal it once was.
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
This was the first year working the games in Texas, and though I have always loved the Brisket Nachos, the food in the pressbox has delivered for the lesser options available for the vouchers. The chili cheese dogs were great for the cost to the vouchers. The burgers were decent. And with only chips and candy bars as other options, it meant either having a ton of candy bars left over, or just loading up on cheese dogs.
Ole Sawmill Cafe, Forrest City, Arkansas
Like the Dutch Pantry, this didn’t live up to the hype from the previous stops. It was good. It is a ton of variety. But this time several items weren’t hot on the buffet. Such as the corn on the cob. The ribs and chicken for the price make it worth it. But just a slight miss from the lofty status this place had held before.
Major Chains (Various)
Pizza Ranch
A great place throughout the Midwest and upper plains into Montana. Known more for their fried chicken instead of their pizza. Though I will put their Buffalo Chicken Pizza against anything. It’s all self-serve buffet and well worth the cost. Including fountain drinks.
Whataburger
Though it’s starting to spread around, this is a must stop at least once in Texas. It can get old fast if you stop too often. But a double with cheese is one of the greatest overly meat filled cheeseburgers you’ll ever get. Especially if you go with the double and cheese on Texas toast with mustard and onion.
RETROSPECTIVE
#1 Not Georgia
It was strange to not start the season in Georgia. After two straight years traveling with my daughter, I passed on another Corky Kell Classic for a trip to North Dakota. Coach Zier with Beach had informed me of plans for a five-game extravaganza at Mandan’s Starion Sports Complex. And I took him up on the offer. It was a fun Saturday of 9-man football. It also was a bit of a letdown not being with my daughter to start the season. Her school started that Monday, so a trip home from North Dakota was not feasible.
#2 AT&T Stadium Sideline
I finally, after many years, got to photograph the Texas state titles, and that put me on the sideline of AT&T Stadium. This was my seventh NFL stadium I’ve gotten to be on the sideline of to photograph a game. In addition to Cleveland and Pittsburgh, I had previously been on the sidelines at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, at Minnesota, at Indianapolis, and at Atlanta.
#3 Texico
Of all the state championship games I’ve photographed, this one might have been the most fun. Hosting a state title at your own stadium is a whole different feeling than the neutral site games played at major professional or collegiate venues. Instead, it was a home game against a relatively local opponent that had been a thorn in your side for years. And finally winning a state title after many years of near misses.
The Field of Hopes and Dreams really lived up to its name.
PHOTOS OF THE YEAR
2023: Toms River North (NJ) v. Millville (NJ)
That has to hurt.
2023: Another not-a-game photo. South of Hyannis, Nebraska
The sandhills region of Nebraska is vastly underrated area of the country. Devoid of productive farmland, the sandhills work best for ranching. The sandhills sit right at the water table and small lakes and ponds dot the landscape.
2023: Hitchcock County (NE) v. Bertrand (NE)
Great old stadium in Trenton, Nebraska.
2023: Sebring McKinley (OH) v. Valley Christian (OH)
Small break in the clouds.
2023: Springfield (CO) v. Holly (CO)
I had been here before. And had seen both teams. But wasn’t expecting this. I’m no expert but that doesn’t look normal.
2023: Springfield (CO) v. Holly (CO)
If I had a nickel for every time I’ve been to a game that was delayed by a helicopter landing I’d have two nickels. It’s not a lot but it’s weird it has happened twice.
2020 flashback: CSP v. Falconer/Cassadaga Valley
2023: Carrington (ND) v. Langdon/Edmore/Munich (ND)
I’ve talked before about fans driving their cars or trucks up to the sideline to watch games at small field around the midwest and plains. But this family converted a dump truck and attend games in style.
2023: Youngstown Cardinal Mooney (OH) v. Youngstown Ursuline (OH)
The holy war of Youngstown. First time on the field at Stambaugh Stadium. Great catch here.
2023: Summit Academy (PA) v. Union (New Castle, PA)
This was a rare Thursday afternoon game. Summit Academy is for adjudicated youths and located in Herman, Pennsylvania. The field is just a field, so the only real seats are a very tiny bleacher for visiting fans and an array of folding chairs that rarely get used. Many will sit up on the hillside along the north endzone. Which also gives a great view for photographs as you’re quite high above the field and has several levels. And on hot days, there’s trees. There’s a lake beyond the south endzone and on occassion when Summit Academy wins, the team will take a jump into said lake. There are no home stands and no fans are allowed along the home side.
2023: Hickory (PA) v. General McLane (PA) (@ Greenville)
Incredible leap, but not quite high enough to snag that field goal. Great effort though.
2023: Clymer/Sherman/Panama (NY) v. Randolph (NY) (@ Clymer)
Full extension diving catch.
These next few are all from Texico, New Mexico for the 2A State Championship Game:
2023: Texico (NM) v. Eunice (NM)
New Mexico’s NMAA is one of two states that still have higher seeds host the state championship game. More info at the links earlier in the review.
Massillon wins:
2023: Massillon Washington (OH) v. Akron Archbishop Hoban (OH)
Great game. One of the most unusual too as Massillon was playing rough most of the game but was stymying Hoban. Leading only 7-2 late in the game, the pass into the endzone was dropped and resulted in Massillon kneeling out the game for their first playoff era state championship and 25th overall.
2023: Aliquippa (PA) v. Dallas (PA)
Winning in style.
2023: Bellville (TX) v. Gilmer (TX)
Everything’s bigger in Texas…
2023: Port Neches-Groves (TX) v. South Oak Cliff (TX)
… Everything.
2023: Port Neches-Groves (TX) v. South Oak Cliff (TX)
Standing at a railing at a high school game. A universal tradition.
2023: DeSoto (TX) v. Summer Creek (TX)
Texas’ State Championships, the greatest show on Earth. Definite bucket list for any HS football fans.
2024 and Beyond
I have many plans for 2024. The season will open in Georgia once again for the Corky Kell-Dave Hunter Classic. Then return to Kentucky and Tennessee for five games in Week 1. A long weekend in New Jersey and then my schedule goes all over after a week at home. In October will be three weekends at home. With possibly a final trip to Sheffield’s famed Wolverine Mountain. The season will end with state championship weekends in Pennsylvania and Texas.
2023 Statistics
86 Games
160 Teams
41 Stadiums
15 States
76 New Teams
27 New Stadiums
1,569 different teams
495 different stadiums
1,460 total games
For more, and larger, favorite photos from this season, click HERE.
For photos from previous weeks and seasons, visit http://www.flickr.com/sykotyk/sets/