2024 Week 8 (Ohio & Pennsylvania)

2024 Week 8 (Ohio & Pennsylvania)

It was a long time out west seeing games in Montana for three straight weekends. As well as a weekend in Nebraska and Colorado. But now I was back home and had plans to see one very important game. And mark a few places off my list.

I had hoped to be home and see a Pennsylvania game on Thursday night, but I instead stopped in Ohio to see a game at Barberton on Thursday night. My friend was going and it was an easy place to stop.

#44 – Barberton v. Copley

This was my first time seeing Barberton or first game at Barberton. I almost say them home Steubenville many years ago. But I missed out on that game. I had seen Copley last year at Aurora. Also on a Thursday.

This was not expected to be a close game. The prediction was for the Copley Indians to win easily. But at halftime, we were staring at a 20-20 scoreboard.

And then the entire second half seemed to go Copley’s way. Four touchdowns and an easy win. It was a great night in Barberton, though. Rudy Sharkey Stadium is a great venue and one worth checking out. And glad I got to stop and see a game. Copley wins, 48-27.

My Friday night was a compromise. I was planning to see a game at Riverside where they’d host Ellwood City. But instead was convinced to see Blackhawk host Aliquippa. Either way, it was a new stadium to see. But I had seen all four teams previously.

So Friday afternoon, I drove south on I-680 and OH14/PA51 east to Chippewa Twp in PA to Blackhawk High School.

Blackhawk was forced to build a new stadium after their old stadium had contamination issues with the soil at their old stadium. The new stadium is at the high school. It’s a nice venue. But it’s setup for all fans to sit on the home side. There’s a small stand on the visitor side. But it wasn’t in use.

The field is turf, and parking was limited. But I finally found a spot with a modest walk to the stadium. Getting in, I paid for a program, that only had the Blackhawk roster. Which was mostly useless in this game.

#45 – Blackhawk v. Aliquippa

This was my 18th time seeing Aliquippa. One of the few times it was for a regular season game. In fact, only the third time. Previously I saw them host Beaver Falls at their home stadium before the latest renovations, and at New Castle. The rest were at Heinz Field/Arisure Stadium and the state championship games either at Hersheypark Stadium or Chapman Field.

This game opened up with Aliquippa on fire. Running out to a 48-0 halftime lead. Instituting a running clock.

After that, the second half was just going through the motions. Blackhawk scored twice to get on the board and make it look respectable. But it was only because Aliquippa had reigned in their impressive offensive power that the final score stood at 48-13.

After the game, I was heading back west on PA51, when I hit something. A small something. But it ended up denting my bumper that I hadn’t realized had happened. Which was annoying. Though finding time to get a body shop to work on it might be until after the new year. It’s purely cosmetic.

Saturday was, and always will be, planned for a game at Sheffield’s Wolverine Mountain. I had been here a few times over the years and on Saturday it looked like I was there for the last time. A vote by the school district to close Youngsville and Sheffield had passed, with another final vote slated for later in the school year. Already Sheffield had seen a consolidation of classrooms between Sheffield and Warren. But now the entire high school was on the chopping block.

Wolverine Mountain, A Sheffield Legacy

I was supposed to do photos after the Aliquippa game, but instead I wrote that article for PA Football News. And I didn’t mince words at the end, either. There was no ‘freaking’ in the original. But an editorial discussion ensued and as a staff the last full line was adjusted for our audience.

But I still feel that way.

So on Saturday morning, I had a long drive north to Sheffield. And I wanted to be there early. I took PA218 to I-376 to I-80 to Clarion. Following PA66 northeast before taking a shortcut I hadn’t known about. And arrived in Sheffield about an hour before kickoff.

I wasn’t exactly looking forward to this game. I hadn’t been in Sheffield in a couple of years. Only when passing through. And it was a shame that this might be the last ever home game. And despite a bad ankle, I walked those steps one last time. I could’ve driven up the east endzone driveway to park by the field. But there was something cathartic about making that trek up the steps.

#46 – Sheffield v. Union City

I had seen both teams before. And I had been here before. But there’s something uniquely memorable about this day. My article I had posted was well received by Sheffield fans. And I talked to a few coaches and fans pre-game. I was hoping for a good game. And I was feeling good about my photography. And then I had an issue. My lens started giving an error code. I could shoot in lower f-stops, but not anything higher than 4.0. Which was an issue but not something I couldn’t work around. But it detracted from my day a little.

As for the game, it started as a closely contested game with Sheffield’s defense setting the tone. Defensively finding their way into the backfield on many snaps.

Turning a 6-0 first quarter lead into a 22-12 halftime lead. A late touchdown giving the homeside the breathing room they needed.

A scoreless third led into an emotional fourth quarter. As the time ticked down the crowd and sidelines could feel the inevitability.Hanging heavy in the air above the Mountain.

Three touchdowns set the game final at 41-12. Giving Sheffield a hugely important and significant victory. The fans were invited out onto the field. Milling about and taking photos. Hugs and tears as the announcer recited a heartfelt speech about Sheffield, the Wolverines, and the Mountain. As the crowd thinned, and the field emptied, I stood there at the corner of it all. Taking it all in. For one last time.

Time is a bitch.

Forever final. I thought that was fitting.

After the game I had a very short drive west. I stopped at Wendy’s to kill some time before my night game at Warren. I had never been to a game at Warren. And wasn’t expecting much from this one. Oil City were grossly favored and I knew it was not going to be close. But, I wanted to see a game here for a while and a Saturday night after an afternoon game in neighboring Sheffield seemed the best fit. It almost felt questionable, as Sheffield’s main nemesis in the school closure debate were the inhabitants mostly in and around Warren.

#47 – Warren v. Oil City

I only took in my zoom lens. As there was a threat of rain. I stood mostly on the Oil City sideline and photographed one of most monochromatic games, if slightly adjusted. Oil City were navy helmets, white facemasks, white jerseys, navy numbers, navy pants, with white stripes. While Warren wore white helmets, navy facemasks, navy jersey, navy pants, with white numbers.

Oil City cruised to a first half lead of 49-0. Before adding two more scores in the second half with a fast-moving running clock. Winning in the end, 62-0.

After the game, I had a long drive home. I took US6 west all the way through Cambridge Springs, and followed it south through Meadville. Finding out along the way that the weird stub end of the Meadville bypass expressway was being rebuilt. And redesigned. No longer would that odd freeway like abrupt end stand. Especially southbound with the non-stop ramp.

I got home around midnight. And called it a night.

ECONOMICS

For the weekend, I drove 344 total miles, and spent $121 total. Of that $60 was for transportation, both gas and an Uber, and $7 for two programs. $2 at Barberton that was well worth it, and $5 at Blackhawk which was not. Food costs were $54 for the weekend as I only ate out, really, on Saturday. Both between games and McDonald’s after the Oil City game when I stopped in Corry.

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK