2026 Week 5 (Ohio & Pennsylvania)
On Friday, I had planned a doubleheader. I hadn’t been to Cupples Stadium in quite a while, and I wanted to see their afternoon game between Westinghouse and Carrick. I knew it would probably be one-sided, but that gave me plenty of time for an evening game. With the PCL night game as a fall back.
The most efficient night game, was at U.S. Steel Community Field, in Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood neighborhood. It was recently opened, and the de facto home field or Pittsburgh Central Catholic. They had just opened the stadium the week prior against Pine-Richland. In a highly anticipated game. Friday night’s game against Norwin lacked the novelty of being the first game at the stadium. But it was still worth checking out. And, for me, Norwin was a team I had yet to see play. Having seen WPIAL Championship games at their stadium, but not their team play yet.
Saturday had one obvious pick, that being Greenville hosting Lakeview on a Saturday night. But the afternoon was not quite settled. An Akron or Cleveland game made the most sense. Until I found that Ashtabula St. John’s home game was set for 1pm. And having seen them previously, they had relocated their home games from the SPIRE Institute’s stadium to Lakeside Stadium at Ashtabula Lakeside High School. A place I had yet to visit for a game. And the last remaining public school venue in Ashtabula County I had yet to see a game from.
Thursday, however, was the conundrum. There were two games in Ohio that weren’t that far apart. Both of them intrigued me. Both featured a new team. And I had never been to either. One being in Barnesville, while the other was at Union Local in Belmont. I had seen Barnesville on the road, and had never seen Union Local play before.
My friend was covering the Barnesville game, and it was easier to just head to Union Local and give coverage to both games. As I had no real pull to go to either game. Other than I was going to one of them.
So on Thursday afternoon, I headed out from home. Taking US422 through town to I-680 to OH11. And for the first time in a long time, following OH11 to East Liverpool and OH7 to Bridgeport. Then I-70 past Perkins Field up the hill to St. Clairsville and continued on to the Belmont exit.
I stopped here in the not so distant past at the Dollar General. And had remembered seeing the school across the street. Fueling my interest in finally seeing a game here. Just as I hadn’t been to St. Clairsville for a game.
The stadium sits atop a hill north of I-70. With parking taking up the entirety of the grass field to the west of the grandstand. A grandstand that also sits on the slope of a hill. There was a media lot behind the south endzone, but I had already parked in the grass and simply walked in.
Union Local, the Jets, were hosting Wheeling Central Catholic. I had seen WCC many times in the past. Including home games at both Wheeling Island Stadium and at Wheeling Jesuit University (now named Wheeling University). Jets Stadium is a great high school venue. Festooned with red and white banners, signage, and flags. A large inflatable helmet used as a run through. A banner held aloft by cheerleaders stacked on top of one another.
The lighting is fairly dim, which is fueled by the natural grass field that was kept quite tall. The interlocking UL at midfield and JETS in the endzone, written in the early 1990s New York Jets style were accented by the red ringed yard markers.
The only real complaint I had for the place was the steepness of the slope from the natural crown of the field from the sideline toa ditch a few feet beyond the sideline. And then the climb up to the track.
The announcer at the game was one of the best. Constantly, and consistently, announcing both the number and the name of the players for each play. Including tacklers. Announcing the new down and distance and what yard the ball was on. This was really nice as I did not have to keep glancing back at the scoreboard to get information.
#26 – Union Local v. Wheeling Central Catholic
With the game on TV, it was going to go slower than most games. And it wasn’t projected to be a running clock. It did have quite a crowd, and a lively one at that. Union Local garnered a commanding lead, thanks to two long touchdowns by Perzanowski. Wheeling Central answered late in the second quarter thanks to a punt return score to cut the lead to 14-7.
The second half, though, was again mostly Union Local exerting their will on their visitors. Another short Perzanowski touchdown, and a field goal. A 24-7 lead felt insurmountable to a team that had yet to find the endzone offensively. And it took a fourth quarter run to finally find the endzone. Union Local went on to win, 24-13.
After the game, I had a long drive home. I made my way across the field, before turning my ankle on one of the very deep divots in the turf. And then up the hill to my truck and headed out. Following the route I had taken.
First I-70 east to Bridgeport, and following the connecting streets of US40 to OH7. North to Steubenville and East Liverpool, before getting onto OH11. And then stopping in Calcutta for gas. And food. Though there were some places near the school, I figured they’d be incredibly busy after the game. And wasn’t in the mood for McDonald’s.
In Calcutta, I stopped for Taco Bell. And then looked up gas prices. And saw that the Sheetz down the street was the same price as the Sheetz in Boardman. Netting me no real savings to drive all the way home for gas. So, instead, I topped off at the Sheetz.
And then headed back to the highway. I could have cut up to OH7, but didn’t want to drive that at night. Though, I wasn’t going all the way to I-80. With the minimal traffic, I exited at Columbiana’s OH46 exit, and cut over to OH164 to go through North Lima. Though I wasn’t paying attention and missed my turn in the dark.
From there, though, it’s fairly straight forward. OH164 through North Lima to the new interchange with I-680 north to Youngstown. Cutting east to home.
I stayed up and finished my photos of the game. Got to bed later than I’d have wanted to, but had to take a shower and do laundry as well.
After noon, I was up and getting ready for the drive to Pittsburgh. I was glad I had everything finished the night before. As I was considering passing up the afternoon game. But, I was on my way and quickly got into Pennsylvania on US422. Bypassing New Castle and stopping at the McDonald’s at the Pilot truck stop at I-79.
Only taking a few minutes to get a couple double cheeseburgers and headed back out. Taking I-79 south to I-279 into the city. Traffic was a breeze today. And I followed the cross town route, taking the 6th and 7th street exits from I-579 and then cutting over to the Armstrong Tunnel and the 10th Street Bridge.
I wanted to park just outside the stadium. Giving me an easy exit after the game to the P.J. McArdle Roadway up the hill to the Liberty Bridge. However, all spots were taken. I circled around and went back past the stadium to park in the auxiliary lot for media and game day officials. Parking inside the salt barn overlooking the field.
#27 – Pittsburgh Westinghouse v. Pittsburgh Carrick
This was my 16th game at Cupples Stadium, and my first of the 2026 season. And my 12th time seeing Westinghouse and 5th time seeing Carrick. Though I have yet to see Carrick win a game. And today wasn’t looking good for the Raiders. They came into the game at 0-2, and were a 44-0 underdog per Massey Ratings.
And that’s about how the game played out. Westinghouse almost got the running clock started at halftime, leading only 29-0. But a touchdown near the start of the third quarter put it away. A 5 yard touchdown into the corner to K-Shawn Hawkins made it 35-0 plus the extra point. The running clock really sped things up. The third quarter ended near 5:20, and even with a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, the game ended well before 6pm. Ending near 5:40. With Westinghouse winning, 49-0.
Westinghouse tops Carrick, 49-0 at Cupples Stadium (PHOTO GALLERY)
With the game ending so early, there wasn’t much in the way to delay me getting over to Hazelwood. Since I wasn’t out front of the stadium, I went back across the 10th Street Bridge, and turned east on Second Ave. And it is only a couple miles down Second Ave to the sports complex. The field sits in a new lot, repurposed from previous mills along the Monongahela.
There’s two ways to the field, and I missed the turn on Blair, and instead had to go down to Hazelwood. Which was fine, as there was very little game traffic an hour prior to kickoff.
U.S. Steel Community Field is a very nice venue. As part of a larger development, the stadium is part of a $25 million youth sports complex. It holds about 3,000 fans with the bulk of the seating on the western home side. The scoreboard sits to the north endzone. The field is in Steelers colors with plain yellow endzones and the Steelers logo at midfield.
For the game, Central Catholic regalia is located around the field and stadium. Banners, flags, and other paraphernalia. The parking are is still gravel, and it may have plans to stay like that. At least for the time being.
At this point, I was thirsty, and figured I’d just get something inside. After passing through the gate and having a conversation about Canon cameras with the security, I got in line for the concessions. And it was nearly $5 for a bottle of pop. Which wasn’t much more than the bottle of water.
I got a Sprite, and then made my way onto the field via the south endzone. The place is nice, and the few from both the home and visitor sidelines is nice. Both featuring hills in the distance.
#28 – Pittsburgh Central Catholic v. Norwin
This was my 10th time seeing the Central Catholic Vikings play. And their first true ‘home game’. I had always had plans for when they’d play at Carnegie Mellon or Duquesne, but never followed through with them. And this was my first time seeing Norwin.
Very quickly things were interesting. Norwin did a surprise onside kick, and drove the field. Unable to score. And then PCC responded with a one play drive 80 yards on the ground. Adding three more scores in the first quarter, to go up 27-0.
It seemed like this game was destined for a running clock. A field goal added to the margin. Before Norwin scored twice late in the second. First on a 5 yard pass with 1:20 left, and then a field goal on the final play, to trail 30-10.
Norwin added to their total in the third, and suddenly that 30-0 deficit seemed feasible. But two more scores, a touchdown and field goal, squashed the short-lived hopes of Norwin. One more touchdown in the third and another in the fourth put it away. Finally reaching the running clock that was already projected prior to kickoff. With PCC winning, 54-17.
Pittsburgh Central Catholic Eventually Thumps Norwin, 54-17 (PHOTO GALLERY)
I didn’t stick around long. I had a long drive home with plans for the morning. But, I did want to stop for a hoagie. I followed Blair to 2nd, and then to Bates and finally Boulevard of the Allies. Driving that until it splits with I-376. Taking that through the bathtub, and following I-376 out toward the airport, and following the business route to Cardello Pizza. Picked up a couple hoagies. One for the drive. And stopped for a Sprite at a McDonald’s.
Because I made this stop, the recommended route was also back to I-680 in Youngstown. Taking I-376 to PA51 that turns into OH14. And then decided to take OH170 through New Middletown by Springfield Local, and through Poland. Continuing north to home.
I got photos finished, and had a very late night. In the morning, I had a very short window to get to Ashtabula. I drove over to get my daughter in the morning. And realized her phone was back at my house. And I didn’t want her to be without it all day. Since she was going to be with me through two full games.
So, it was back to my house. And then heading back into town through US422 to OH711 to OH11. Then making a bee line due north just past I-90 to Seven Hills Road. North at the end, and then west along OH84 to the southern entrance to Lakeside High School.
With the phone diversion, my free time was gone. And I got into the stadium just before the anthem was to be played. The parking was easy, even with the large lot behind the home stands being blocked off due to construction.
There was a threat of rain, but it held off throughout the game.
#29 – Ashtabula St. John v. Pymatuning Valley
This was the third time I had seen either team. And I had yet to see either one of them win a game. Both 0-2 in previous games. St. John lost to Sarahsville Shenandoah at SPIRE, and also at Ashtabula Edgewood. While I had seen Py Valley lose on the road at Campbell Memorial in 2015, and at home to Windham in 2016.
I was expecting Py Valley to put up a fight. Instead, St. John threw their weight around, and had a 13-0 lead at the half. But then finally Py Valley finally found the endzone, and the 13-7 deficit seemed inconsequential. But only 21 seconds later, St. John found the endzone on a 58 yard run. And their lead was back to two scores. But just as before, in the fourth quarter later in the game, Py Valley scored to make it 19-14. But they didn’t regain possession, and St. John took advantage with a 48 yard touchdown run. And held on to win, 26-14.
Ashtabula St. John holds off Pymatuning Valley, 26-14 (PHOTO GALLERY)
The game did take some time, but I had a long gap before the night game. My daughter and I went over to Red Lobster in Ashtabula. They still have the endless shrimp and though they were a little slow at the end with re-orders, it was worth the price.
After that, it was south on OH11 to US322, and taking that into Jamestown. And taking some back roads to my house in Greenville.
Stopping there for a few, it was then on to the game.
This was my 80th time seeing Greenville play football. And 7th time seeing Lakeview. It was also my 57th game at Snyder-Stone Stadium, aka Stewart Field. And this was my third time seeing this exact matchup. Once at Lakeview, a playoff game in Hermitage at Hickory in 2024, and now for the first time at Greenville.
#30 – Greenville v. Lakeview
One cool thing about the game was that it was a ‘Black Out’ game for Greenville. So, my first time seeing them in something other than white or blue. Though I wasn’t expecting it.
For the game itself, Greenville quickly scored to take a lead. And on their next possession, scored again. And one of my favorite photos of the year, shown above. The second quarter was more of the same. Doubling their lead to 28-0. It only took 25 seconds into the second half to start the running clock. With the expedited finish, Greenville added one more score early in the fourth quarter, to go up 41-0. And held on to their shutout by the end of the game.
Greenville Blacks Out Lakeview, 41-0 on Saturday Night (PHOTO GALLERY)
After the game, it was to a quick drive home. One I have made many, many times from Greenville. But first, I had back to my house in Greenville. And then headed home. Taking PA18 south through Hermitage, along US62 to Hubbard and OH616 south.
Another week in the books.
STATISTICS
For the weekend, I drove 558 total miles and spent $154. $47 was for gas, which was slightly under my projection. While $107 was spent on food. Though that was slightly more than usual as my daughter was with me all day Saturday. Where Red Lobster alone was $54 for the two of us.
I added two new teams and three new stadiums to my total. Seeing Union Local and Norwin for the first time ever. While seeing games at Union Local’s Jets Stadium, U.S. Steel Community Field in Pittsburgh, and Lakeside Stadium in Ashtabula.
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
30 Games
60 Teams
21 Stadiums
11 States
27 New Teams
16 New Stadiums
1767 different teams
581 different stadiums
1674 total games
NEXT WEEK
I’m back once again in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Thursday is my first time back to Vienna, Ohio since 2012. Friday is another WPIAL game between two new teams for me. Waynesburg Central hosting Mount Pleasant. And Saturday is planned to be two games. Summit Academy hosting Laurel in the afternoon, and Valley Christian hosting Lisbon in Mineral Ridge.
For more, and larger, photos from this week, click HERE.
For photos from previous weeks and seasons, visit http://www.flickr.com/sykotyk/sets/