2026 Week 4 (Ohio & Pennsylvania)
I originally had planned a different Thursday game. With a plethora of Thursday options in Northeast Ohio, I had planned to see Kenston in Chagrin Falls hosting Copley. But, I had see Copley before and looked around for other options. And set my sites on Orange High in Pepper Pike. A small suburb east/northeast of Cleveland. Located east of I-271, as part of the area encompassing Gates Mills, Hunting Valley, Woodmere, and the interestingly named Pepper Pike.
So, I switched to that. They were hosting Lutheran West, the cohort of Lutheran East I had just seen the previous Saturday. Either way, the drive west on Thursday evening wasn’t going to be a long one.
On Thursday afternoon, I headed out from home. I was running late, so I wanted to take the Ohio Turnpike. But, it was only a few minutes shorter. Instead, I followed US422 into Youngstown, OH711 north to OH11. Taking the Warren Bypass on OH82, to US422 once again. In Solon, I exited north on OH91 through the forests to Chagrin Blvd, and over to the school. I got there early enough, and the forecast for the night was looking decent.
#22 – Pepper Pike Orange v. Lutheran West
This was my first time at Orange. And first time seeing both teams. Lewis Black Stadium, not named for the comedian, is a great venue. The orange and black theme accents everything well. Love the use of the colors in the endzone, and surrounding stadium facades. And a large orange O at midfield.
For the game itself, Orange was the favorite by two touchdowns. And for a while it was a lot closer than it felt like it should be. Aside from a last second touchdown, Orange met expectations, winning 32-24.
Ohio Spotlight: Pepper Pike Orange 32, Lutheran West 24 (PHOTO GALLERY)
After the game, it was backtracking the same way home. Though, taking OH82 east to Brookfield, and then south to home. To avoid most of the lights through Youngstown. Though, that still leaves all of Hubbard.
The next day, I had one game planned. In WPIAL, only one game featured two new teams and a new stadium for me. So, that was the game I put in to cover. And for the most part, it was the most noteworthy.
Taking the game, however, my daughter was traveling with me. And it worked out because Burrell’s stadium is a commo Western Pennsylvania one-side-only stadium. Which means there’s more free space on the visiting sideline.
Friday afternoon, I got my daughter after school. And then prepped for the trip to Burrell. A couple hours east. But had to swing back by my house. Then taking US422 east past New Castle, through Butler, to Herman. And passing near by Summit Academy south to PA356, then the rest of the way down through Freeport. And a quick doubleback on PA56 toward Lower Burrell. The school sits northeast of town, on a hill and in a complex with the elementary school. The field has a small parking lot behind it. But despite getting there late, I did get a spot in the gravel lot.
#23 – Burrell v. Greensburg-Salem
The stadium entrance sits high above the field. With a long walk down toward the stadium’s ramps, and from there steps down to the field level to get through a gate in the northern endzone. It was September 11th, and the Burrell Bucs elected to wear camouflage jerseys. A very patriotic student section decked in red, white, and blue sung songs throughout the game.
Pregame, I stopped at the concession stand and my daughter was given a pretzel with cheese. Out on the field, I had expected a decent game, though Burrell was the favorite.
Instead, what I saw was Greensburg-Salem go all out, taking a lead, and holding the upper hand through the first half. Taking a 26-13 lead into the break.
But just as quickly as they started the second half, Burrell scored twice to take a 27-26 lead. The final 12 minutes were a frenetic, and long, series of possessions. Greensburg-Salem took the lead, before Burrell took it back. Greensburg Salem got it back on a 59 yard TD pass. Before Burrell took it right back. And one final drive by Greensburg-Salem came up empty. With Burrell winning, 42-39.
Burrell wins thriller over Greensburg Salem, 42-39 (PHOTO GALLERY)
Leaving the stadium took a very long time. I thought we had taken our time. Avoiding the rush only a close game could create when everyone stays to the end. Exiting through the north endzone, and around the stands through a cattle chute that was the small walkway between the field and the stands.
Even in the lot, it took forever for the traffic to clear as everyone from the high school and elementary school funneled through just one exit onto PA56.
Following PA56 to PA356 in to Freeport. Stopping across the street from Freeport High School where their game had also just let out. Getting Burger King before driving the rest of the way home. This time taking the slower route through Butler on PA356, to PA8 and onto US422. Running that all the way home through the night to Ohio.
My Saturday was a combination of two games. One at a place I had wanted to see for years. And another I had been to several times in the past. With the threat of rain, and some prior plans, my daughter stayed at home, and I headed out from Youngstown to I-680 and I-80. Opting for the Ohio Turnpike, as the heavy rain had made US422 between Parkman and Solon an incredibly slow, nearly impassible route for how quickly I needed to get to Cleveland.
From I-480 in Streetsboro, I exited onto OH14, taking the long ramps and taking OH14 northwest toward downtown. Stefanski Stadium sits right on OH14, though with my late start and the rain, I was cutting it very close to get to the game. And the lot by the school was packed. I was directed across the street to the shopping plaza, where I was told they’ve never had issues parking fans for the game.
With the rain, I only brought in my zoom lens, and my rain hood. The new one I bought which I don’t like but I’ve committed to keeping it for the season. It lacks an elastic, tacky wrap on the end that keeps it from sliding around the lens.
I got into the stadium, with the wrist band given to those on the sideline. And was into the field just as the game was kicking off. The crowd was small, as the rain was consistent.
#24 – Cleveland Central Catholic v. Warrensville Heights
This was my first time seeing the Warrensville Heights Tigers. I had a few opportunities in the past, but I had missed out on a home game of theirs. I had seen Cleveland Central Catholic Ironmen once before, in a game at Gilmour Academy.
With the rain, I didn’t take notes. But, there wasn’t much to document. Warrensville Heights moved the ball well, but couldn’t crack the endzone. The rain ended mid-game and other than some soggy turf, the game went along fine. I stayed mostly in one spot on the field. As when it did rain, I didn’t have it blowing right at my camera. After the rain it was cool and breezy. CCC scored two times, and won, 14-0.
After the game, I had a lot of time to kill. The first game took barely two hours. And my night game, though in Pennsylvania, wasn’t starting until 7pm. So, I looked around for something to eat. I thought about seafood, or sushi. And I kept looking before I settled on Kumo Buffet in Independence. It had good reviews. And wasn’t that far away.
But I didn’t realize until I was seated, that their seafood and sushi offerings were minimal at best. One, ‘sushi’ was mostly imitation crab based, with only some that was tempura shrimp made like a spider roll. And only a few with actual salmon. Seafood was some cold mussels, crawfish (ew), and unpeeled shrimp.
Upon seeing that, I was going to question whether it was worth it to even stay and get food. But I had already driven over there. And asked how much the buffet was. It was only $17, so I decided to stay. And the actual chinese food itself was good. But that was the extent of it. The mushrooms were good.
Finally, though, I had a longer drive than I expected to Mercer. I thought about stopping at home, but I knew with the threat of ran, there was no way I was going to head out to Mercer. I was spared in Cleveland. Not so in Mercer.
After dinner, I headed south along I-77 toward Akron, but cut through Cuyahoga Valley National Park via Peninsula. Taking OH8 south to Graham Road past Stow-Munroe Falls High School into Kent. Stopping at the Sheetz for gas. Continuing through town to OH43 south to I-76. And taking that east to Youngstown, to I-80 and into Pennsylvania. Getting off at US19, I stopped at the Burger King for something to drink. And headed north into town. Stopping for a photo of the welcome sign for Mercer.
#25 – Mercer v. Wilmington
I got to the school and took some time before getting out of the car. Rain was threatening at any time. And I wasn’t planning to spend more time on the field longer than necessary if I was going to get rained on. And I would get rained on.
I got a plastic roster sheet from the concession stand, that was nice. But, I didn’t have one for Wilmington. Which turned out to be important.
This was my third time at Mercer Field. First for a game against Sharpsville that ended 6-0 for Mercer. And another game against Lakeview, that ended 24-22 for the visitors. This was my 9th time seeing Wilmington and 5th time seeing Mercer.
I was drive before kickoff. And then the rains came. Sweeping in from the west. Right at me. Wilmington starting with a touchdown. And quickly regained possession. And scored again in a deluge. The rain relented some, and Wilmington added two more first quarter touchdowns.
The second quarter started with a safety, and then four more touchdowns. By this point, the game was simply a race to finish before the next wave of rain, if there was one.
By this point, with the game 58-0, I was drenched and just trying to get through the end of the game. Getting home to a shower and clean clothes was the overwhelming priority.
A running clock made things quicker. Wilmington added another late third quarter touchdown, and then another in the fourth quarter. Wilmington held Mercer defensively despite a rather relaxed approach the rest of the game, and won, 72-0.
After the game, I stopped at Dollar General for some sweet tea to take home. And followed US19 to I-80 to Hubbard. And south to home.
Wilmington dominates first half, to win 72-0 over Mercer Saturday night (PHOTO GALLERY)
STATISTICS
For the weekend, I drove 545 miles. And spent $105.88. Of that, $45.25 was for gas. $25.63 at Burger King on Friday night, and $20 at KUMO on Saturday. As well as $5 more at Burger King for something to drink Saturday night. And the rest at Dollar General.
I got to see five new teams and three new stadiums.
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
25 Games
50 Teams
16 Stadiums
11 States
25 New Teams
13 New Stadiums
1765 different teams
578 different stadiums
1669 total games
NEXT WEEK
I’ll be back in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Three new stadiums and two new teams. My first game at Cupples Stadium in a while. And closing out the weekend with a game at Greenville.
For more, and larger, photos from this week, click HERE.
For photos from previous weeks and seasons, visit http://www.flickr.com/sykotyk/sets/