2025 Year In Review

I saw the fewest games in a season in several years. Just 82 overall. But they were some of the best games and a lot of fun along the way. I found myself in Montana a lot. As well as seeing state championships in three new states. One being Montana, and the other two were weekends in Wyoming and Oklahoma. Bringing my total to 30 states that I’ve attended a state championship game in.

My 2025 season spanned 19 weekends for 82 total games. The most games seen in a weekend was 12 in the final weekend in Texas. And just two game a few times while traveling.

In games I’ve attended, there were 4,446 total points scored, for an average of 54.22 points per game (a 3.9/game increase from last year). The cumulative score was 3156-1290. For an average score of 38.49-15.73. Compared to 35.97-14.34 last year.

The most points I saw were Jayton’s 99 points in their 99-54 victory over Richland Springs. For 11-man, the most was Natrona County’s 62-0 victory over Cheyenne South in Casper, Wyoming.

For this season, here are some statistics.

States I watched games in:

15 – Ohio
12 – Texas
10 – Georgia
10 – Wyoming
8 – Pennsylvania
7 – Montana
6 – Oklahoma
5 – North Dakota
3 – Kentucky
2 – Kansas
2 – Nebraska
2 – West Virginia

Championship Games by State:

12 – Texas
7 – Ohio
6 – Oklahoma
5 – Wyoming
1 – Montana

States of Teams I’ve Seen:

28 – Ohio
24 – Texas
20 – Georgia
19 – Wyoming
17 – Pennsylvania
13 – Montana
12 – Oklahoma
10 – North Dakota
6 – Kentucky
4 – Kansas
4 – Nebraska
4 – West Virginia
1 – Michigan

Teams I’ve seen multiple times:

2x
Poplar (MT)
Sheridan (WY)

Most points (one team):

99 – Jayton (TX) v. Richland Springs (12/17, 99-65; F/4th 0:57) (6-man) (Championship)
77 – Grass Range/Winnett (MT) v. Hays-Lodgepole (9/25, 77-6) (6-man)
72 – New Rockford-Sheyenne/Maddock (ND) v. Hankinson (11/8, 72-50) (9-man)
69 – Gordon (TX) v. Rankin (12/17, 69-22; F/3rd, 6:46) (6-man) (Championship)
67 – Baggs Little Snake River (WY) v. Burlington (11/15, 67-16) (6-man) (Championship)

Honorable Mention:
62 – Casper Natrona County (WY) v. Cheyenne South (10/17, 62-0)

Fewest points (one team):

0 – 11x total
3 – Jeromesville Hillsdale (OH) v. St. Henry (12/6, 37-3) (Championship)
3 – Wheelersburg (OH) v. Liberty Center (12/6, 5-3) (Championship)

Most points (combined):

153 – Jayton (99) v. Richland Springs (54) (12/17, Arlington, TX) (6-man) (Championship)
122 – New Rockford-Sheyenne/Maddock (72) v. Hankinson (50) (11/8, New Rockford, ND) (9-man)
106 – Southington Chalker (62) v. Fremont St. Joseph Central Catholic (44) (9/13, Fremont, OH) (8-man)
91 – Gordon (69) v. Rankin (22) (12/17, Arlington, TX) (6-man) (Championship)
83 – Grass Range/Winett (77) v. Hays-Lodgepole (6) (9/25, Hays, MT) (6-man)
83 – Baggs Little Snake River (67) v. Burlington (16) (11/15, Laramie, WY) (6-man) (Championship)

Fewest points (combined):

10 – Stepheneville (10) v. Kilgore (0) (12/19, Arlington, TX) (Championship)
16 – Ellwood City Riverside (9) v. New Castle Union (7) (9/11, New Castle, PA)
17 – Houston North Shore (10) v. Duncanville (7) (12/20, Arlington, TX) (Championship)
22 – Johnson City Stanton County (22) v. Deerfield (0) (9/20, Johnson City, KS) (8-man)*
23 – Muskegon (15) v. Garfield Heights (8) (9/13, Garfield Heights, OH)

Biggest Blowouts:

71 – Grass Range/Winnett (77) v. Hays-Lodgepole (6) (9/25, Hays, MT) (6-man)
62 – Casper Natrona County (62) v. Cheyenne South (0) (10/17, Casper, WY)
57 – Clairton (57) v. Greenville (0) (11/28, Ellwood City, PA)
52 – Basin Riverside (58) v. Kaycee (6) (9/26, Kaycee, WY) (F/3rd, 4:51) (6-man)
51 – Circle (51) v. Poplar (0) (10/2, Circle, MT) (8-man)
51 – Baggs Little Snake River (67) v. Burlington (16) (11/15, Laramie, WY) (6-man) (Championship)

Closest Games (by total score):

1 – (25-24) Wall v. Newton (12/18, Arlington, TX) (Championship)
1 – (21-20) Bismarck v. West Fargo (10/31, Bismarck, ND)
2 – (36-34) North East v. Grove City (8/22, Grove City, PA)
2 – (21-19) Akron Garfield v. Ravenna Southeast (8/21, Palmyra, OH)
2 – (20-18) Sidney v. Billings Lockwood (10/10, Sidney, MT)
2 – (9-7) Ellwood City Riverside v. New Castle Union (9/11, New Castle, PA)

Overtime games:

None

Games that ended early (by quarter and time remaining)

1st 1:28 – Johnson City Stanton County (22) v. Deerfield (0) (9/20, Johnson City, KS) (8-man) (Injuries)
Half – Otis-Bison (26) v. Rozel Pawnee Heights (7) (9/19, Rozel, KS) (6-man) (Weather)
3rd 6:46 – Gordon (69) v. Rankin (22) (12/17, Arlington, TX) (6-man) (Championship) (Sudden Death)
3rd 4:51 – Basin Riverside (58) v. Kaycee (6) (9/26, Kaycee, WY) (6-man) (Injuries)
4th 0:57 – Jayton (99) v. Richland Springs (54) (12/17, Arlington, TX) (6-man) (Championship) (Sudden Death)

Most Memorable Games:

20250911 HSF Ellwood City Riverside 9, NEW CASTLE UNION 7, Socs Roussos Stadium, New Castle, PA
20251010 HSF SIDNEY (MT) 20, Billings Lockwood (MT) 18, Swanson Field, Sidney, MT
20251101 HSF KILLDEER (ND) 39, Dickinson Trinity (ND) 19, Killdeer Cowboys Stadium, Killdeer, ND
20251107 HSF MINOT NORTH (ND) 21, Casselton Central Cass (ND) 17, Sentinel Stadium, Minot, ND
20251220 HSF Houston North Shore (TX) 10, Duncanville (TX) 7, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX

There were a lot of great games that didn’t make the cut. I tried to keep it to just the top five. So many games from the Oklahoma state championships could have made it here. But I couldn’t pick one. So they’ll be noted further down the recap.

Riverside (PA) 9, Union (PA) 7

The first game of the weekend was on 9/11 and Union went all out for it. Even painting a memorial in their endzones. The game was low scoring, and hotly contested.

Sidney (MT) 20, Lockwood (MT) 18

This game came down to a 4th and 17 catch by Brody Keysor, shown above. An incredible grab. It led to the winning touchdown. Despite that, Lockwood had a chance and Gradin Sukut had a pick to seal it.

Game Report: Montana Spotlight: Sidney Slips By Lockwood, 20-18 (PHOTO GALLERY)

Killdeer (ND) 39, Dickinson Trinity (ND) 19

This game was one I was looking forward to for a while. Having been in Killdeer before, I wanted to see a game at this little stadium wedged into town. The town is booming thanks to Bakken Formation in western North Dakota. And despite a new school built far from the center of town, they continue to play at this ageless field. One day, it may become too small or too cramped. But for now, there’s still football here. And on a perfect Saturday afternoon I got one of the best games to photograph. And one of my all-time favorite photos. May not have been the closest final score. But this game will long be remembered by me as one of my favorites.

Game report: North Dakota Spotlight: Killdeer opens playoffs with 39-19 win over Trinity (PHOTO GALLERY)

Minot North (ND) 21, Central Cass (ND) 17

A cold night in northern North Dakota. With a state championship game berth on the line for the up-and-coming North Sentinels from Minot. A new school, already they found their way to the state semifinals. Hosting the Central Cass Squirrels. It was cold. Snowy. And after hanging on for a bit, they scored a last minute diving touchdown to win, 21-17. And their first trip to the Fargodome for the State Championships.

Game Report: North Dakota Spotlight: Minot North earns first berth in State Title Game, 21-17 over Central Cass (Photo Gallery)

Houston North Shore (TX) 10, Duncanville (TX) 7

Another North Shore-Duncanville game. Another memorable finish. A scoreless game suddenly breaks open into a nailbiter.

ECONOMICS

(Will be added at a later time).

NOTES and THOUGHTS

This was a very memorable year for a lot of great reasons.

TRAVEL & FOOD

Travel Notes

Once again, I spent a lot of time in the Upper Plains and Upper Rockies. Finding myself in Montana for many weekends once again. Another year I skipped out on the PIAA Finals, though this time it was a trip to Oklahoma.

Nothing was too crazy this season. Next year, things will get a little more crazy.

Food

David’s Buffet, Corbin, Kentucky

An annual stop now whenever I’m heading south. Located in Corbin, Kentucky–the home of original KFC–sits David’s Buffet. They have steak. They’re not the greatest. But for $16 all-you-can-eat, it’s a great deal. Plus their other foods and deserts are pretty good.

Rio’s Steakhouse, Marietta, Georgia

A rarity, finding a Brazilian Steakhouse. Unlike Texas de Brazil or Fogo de Chao, they don’t come to your table to serve you. Part of a cafeteria style restaurant, you go up to the grill to get your next plateful. It makes it more efficient, which is reflected in the price.

Game Day Food, Circle, Montana

Rarely ever eat stadium food being down on the field. But did get this between the sub-varsity and varsity game in Circle. And it was well worth it. Washed it down with a couple gatorades.

Game Day Food, Poplar, Montana

Fry Bread is great. And in Poplar, they had chili and Fry Bread for free at their game. Served under the scoreboard until it ran out. I just got the bread. And it alone was delicious.

Game Day Food, Bismarck, North Dakota

Had some time between the two games of the doubleheader. Being that the Community Bowl is also a collegiate venue, they had some decent food options. Including pulled pork nachos for only $8.

Wing Shack, Laramie, Wyoming

After my first of two nights in Laramie, I walked down from the stadium through the heavily traveled business route through campus to Wing Shack. Newly opened, this place had a great assortment and was packed. 25 wings for $30 and that included fries and a drink.

Game Day Food, Laramie, Wyoming

The next day, I had three games to watch. And I opted for lunch inside the stadium. They had a food truck setup under the home bleachers. And I got the “Roper Burger”. It was good. But eating it outside, the wind chilled it pretty fast despite it being unseasonably warm for the area.

Clanton’s Cafe, Vinita, Oklahoma

This was a great find on the way to Oklahoma City. Located on the old route of US66, Vinita is a common Route 66 community. Lots of hotels, lots of neon. Everything beckoning people to stop and EAT. Literally, on the sign out front. And that’s what we did.

Food was great. Reasonably priced. Packed. And had a nostalgic charm that was authentic and not faked.

Ole Sawmill Cafe, Forrest City, Arkansas

This has become a regular stop on the drive home. It’s about one tank of gas away from Dallas. And it’s a quick in-and-out after pulling off the exit, getting gas, walking in, eating, and going. When you’re traveling quickly, a buffet speeds things up. No waiting to take an order. No waiting for food to be cooked. It’s already there, ready to go. Just grab some. Eat it. And leave.

The previous stop here was a bit disappointing and I had strong skepticism about stopping this time. But it was like all the previous times I had stopped here. Great southern food for a good price.

RETROSPECTIVE

#1 Oklahoma

Talihina 26-20
Rejoice Christian 34-13
Adair 34-29
Jones 20-14
Lincoln Christian 24-21
Tuttle 23-20

Prior to 2025, I had only been to two games in the state of Oklahoma. An 8-man game in Caddo years ago. And an 11-man game in Hooker. With Oklahoma splitting their state championship games over two weekends, it aligned perfectly with my trip to Texas to see Oklahoma the week prior. And that’s what I did. I went in not certain what to expect. Playing at University of Central Oklahoma, the Chad Richison Stadium is perfect for high school football. Though I wasn’t seeing the biggest schools in the state, the stadium was rocking for the teams regardless. Everything was new, modern, clean, sleak, and fan friendly. Parking was easy and free. Tickets were by the game, but with the big 3-plus hour window between games meant leaving and killing time elsewhere. A hotel just 1 mile away made for an easy choice where to bide time for the night game.

And then the games? Every game was within 7 points but one. And that one game was 20-0 at the half. Before Tonkawa came storming back to trail 20-13 in the fourth quarter. With the ball. Before the rug was pulled out from under them. Two quick touchdowns at the end sealed it for Rejoice Christian and make the only ‘lopsided’ game of the weekend. Every other game was down to the wire. One ending on an interception in the endzone on the final play. One ended with a field goal to win it.

It was, without a doubt, the best weekend of football I had seen for that many games in a long time.

#2 So Close, Yet So Far

Greenville had finally won the District 10 title. The first time in a long time. Then went on the road, and won 36-28 against Port Allegany on a last play goal-line stand. Setting up a matchup with District 7’s champion, the Clairton Bears. It was the third time ever that Greenville had made the state semifinals. The last time in 1997 when they lost to Blackhawk at North Allegheny. I was there. And never though it would be nearly 30 years later for their next trip to the state semifinals.

Though they didn’t win, it was a memorable season and I was glad to be on the sideline in Ellwood City to watch it.

#3 Half Hour Weekend

It was a strange weekend. I only knew where I planned to be on Saturday. The small town of Johnson City, Kansas was home to the Stanton County Trojans. Who were playing an 8-man game on Saturday night for homecoming. They weren’t classified as an 8-man team, but they were playing a hodge-podge of games for the 2025 season. Including a home game against nearby Deerfield.

So, on Friday I had a lot of options. And needed something nearby. Something I could get to from Friday night to Saturday night without a long drive in between. So, I settled on a small six-man town in Rozel. Pawnee Heights was hosting Otis-Bison. I didn’t bring my rain hood with me for my camera. As I had forgotten it at home.

Just before halftime, the forecasted storms were running in a line and were projected to reach the town just as halftime would be ending.

And as soon as that news spread through the teams huddled in the endzones and fans in the stands, sidelines, and concession stand lines, the crowd retreated to the school or their cars to head home.

I headed to the school. To wait out the storm. After a while though, despite trailing at home, both teams agreed that the game was not going to be able to resume. And Otis-Bison would have the victory.

Certainly, though, my Saturday night game would workout better. Or, so I hoped. I drove to the southwest corner of Kansas. Stopping briefly in the town of Deerfield just in time to see the bus prepping to leave town. I got into Johnson City and had almost two hours to spare.

I walked around the stadium and got something to drink. The stadium was wrapped in trees. And the sightlines were all good. I was looking forward to this one and had a good feeling about my photography for the night.

And then I saw the roster. Ten players were on the field for Deerfield. The game kicked off and it was clear that Deerfield was outmatched. A quick score on the opening kickoff return. Another quick score. A bad injury. Another score. It was 22-0 not even a quarter into the game. There was also another injury and they were waiting on an ambulance as the original one had left with the first player.

It was during that break that both sides decided to call the game. A disappointment for sure, but the smart call given the injuries already endured early in a game that was not going to be close.

In the end, I watched 30 minutes and 32 seconds of football for the entire weekend. It may not have been the best situation. Might not have been the best football. Or best conditions. But it was very memorable. And hopefully one day I can make it back to Johnson City and see an entire game.

Game report: Kansas 8-Man Spotlight – Stanton County 22, Deerfield 0 in Injury Shortened Homecoming Game (PHOTO GALLERY)