2024 Week 15 (Pennsylvania)

2024 Week 15 (Pennsylvania)

Week 15 was a short week for games. As the state semifinals were being played for both Ohio and Pennsylvania. Games were at a premium. Ohio had all games on Friday night. Pennsylvania had mostly Friday games where I could get to them. With limited options for Saturday.

Across the state, there were some Thursday games on Thanksgiving. But those were not possible. And Saturday had just a single game in Altoona.

Friday, though, had several night games in the area. And one afternoon game in Altoona. So, to see two games was either drive to Altoona on Friday morning or Saturday morning. And Saturday would mean two trips for games. I opted for Friday morning.

Woke up and drove an old familiar road east on US422. Passing by Butler. By Kittaning. By Indiana. And following the route to US22 and points east around Ebensburg. The weather was decent, though cold. When I finally arrived in Altoona at Mansion Park Stadium. It was my first time there since 1996. When Greenville won a state quarterfinal game against Lock Haven.

There’s been so many games held here, but I just never had a reason to make the drive over. Until this weekend. Luckily the parking situation was not bad. As the weather, cold, and neutral site location on Black Friday afternoon a little less than usual. Parking in the main lot behind the home side stands.

The first game of the day, and for me of the weekend, was Thomas Jefferson and Lampeter-Strasburg. This was my first time seeing Lampeter-Strasburg Pioneers play football. And my 8th time seeing Thomas Jefferson Jaguars. Both teams were 13-0 coming into their state semifinal matchup.

#78 – Thomas Jefferson v. Lampeter-Strasburg

I didn’t have to write this game. I didn’t even need to do updates as PA Football News had a full slate of reporters at it as it was the only game going on at the time. With a night game in Altoona as well, and a game Saturday, it was a popular spot to be in Pennsylvania for football.

But I still managed to get my tweets out. It was cold. I wasn’t feeling the best. And it was one of those games that just felt like it was going to be a runaway game,…

…Until it wasn’t.

Trailing by 13 at the half, Lampeter-Strasburg scored twice to take a 17-16 lead. A field goal early in the 4th gave some breathing room. But still needed to sweat it out before winning, 20-16. And their first spot in the state championship in school history.

PFN: Pictures from Lampeter-Strasburg/Thomas Jefferson Semi-Final

After the game, I had two options. Stay in Altoona and kill time. But then have another long drive home, on US422, when the 7pm game ended. Or start heading home now. And see a game in Clarion. With the quick finish in Altoona, I decided to go with my original plan heading to Clarion.

Leaving the stadium, the crowd had already cleared quickly, with most of the crowd heading toward I-99 to get to US22 and Pittsburgh. While Lampeter-Strasburg fans had still milled about the field, railings, stadium, and parking lot. Reveling in the victory.

I followed PA36 northwest from town. Winding through PA countryside. Zigzagging through Mahaffey, and US219, and continued northwest on PA36, through Punxsutawney and to Brookville. A quick jump onto I-80 to Clarion got me into town well over an hour before the game.

I stopped at Sakura Buffet off the exit. Buffets being the quickest way to eat when you’re on a time crunch. As you can get food and eat at your pace. No waiting on a kitchen to prepare your food. Or servers being busy or staggering tables at a usual pace.

After a quick jaunt into town, following US322 to the west end and Clarion University’s Memorial Stadium. Parked, and got situated for another cold game. The snow-dusted field frigid and crunchy. This was my second time seeing both teams playing in 2024. Fort Cherry the defending state runner-up and winning the WPIAL Championship the week prior. Port Allegany winning easily over Redbank Valley, 66-38.

#79 – Port Allegany v. Fort Cherry

Again both teams came into this game undefeated. The Port Allegany Gators were 13-0, while Fort Cherry Rangers were 14-0. After last year’s run, this was now my 7th time seeing Fort Cherry. While, having never seen them prior to 2024, my second time now seeing Port Allegany.

But this wasn’t looking to be a close game. Port Allegany’s stellar run game put points on the board. And their defense mixed with the freezing temps stymied Fort Cherry’s star QB Matt Sieg.

The second half wasn’t any better. As Port Allegany added a few more touchowns to slat the game away. Fort Cherry’s struggles never correcting themselves. Winning, 46-8. And Port Allegany’s trip to the state championship game.

After the game, I got some post-game photos of celebrations, and talked to Phil Myers, a fellow PFN reporter before going our separate ways. I had already planned to give up my spot in the PA Finals as photographer and go to Ohio. Giving a new photographer a spot for PA. So, I wouldn’t see the rest of the crew in 2024. Or so I thought.

Report: Aiden Bliss Scores Five TDs and Port Allegany Pounds Fort Cherry to Reach the State Finals for the First Time Ever

Photos: Flashback: Port Allegany v. Fort Cherry

Leaving the stadium, I headed west to PA66 and followed that to I-80 and drove a slow, quiet drive west to Hubbard and got off in town and headed south to home.

The next morning, I considered getting up and making the long drive back to Altoona. And I had planned on it. At one point. But for one game. The long drive on US422 for just one game. Two teams I’ve seen many times in a stadium I was just at the day before. And I wasn’t feeling any better than I had the day before. I decided to stay at home. If it was a night game, I probably would’ve made the drive.

ECONOMICS

For the day, and the weekend, I drove 307 total miles. And spent $32 on food and $4 on miscellaneous. Stopping at Dollar General for some Milo’s and just keeping it in the bed to stay chilled. And $28 was for the buffet. Including tax and tip.

I added one new team. As Lampeter-Strasburg was added to my all-time list. Though, I had been to both fields previously.