2026 Week 7 (Pennsylvania & New York)
So, looking around, there wasn’t a stadium within thirty minutes of Cupples Stadium I hadn’t been and hadn’t seen either of the two teams playing. I did, however, have a couple places I had never seen the home team. And one of those was Plum. Plum had been on my list for a while. And, it was a stretch to make it there on time after a game at Cupples. It was also projected to be a fairly good game.
Thursday, however, was a different story. There was just a handful of games. In District 10, there were two games. Grove City was hosting Conneaut, while Oil City was hosting Warren. There was also a game in District 9, and a couple games in Ohio. Ursuline was hosting Steubenville. And that was intriguing. And close by. But I really didn’t want to go to Stambaugh Stadium for the night. And, I hadn’t been to Oil City since 1998. Even though I knew it would be a one-sided game.
And for Saturday, there were quite a few afternoon game options. Especially around northeast Ohio. But for night games, there was just one and it wasn’t much for debate. Reynolds was hosting Greenville at 7pm. So, I had to find a game nearby for the afternoon. Two afternoon games in Akron, and a couple around Cleveland. As well as a couple in New York’s Section 6. And one obvious games: CSP was hosting Portville/Cuba-Rushford/Bolivar-Richburg. Now, I had seen Portville in the past. But that was when they were on their own. Their co-op with two other schools was new, and that counts as a new team for me.
Unlike the Akron games, though, the CSP game would kickoff at 1:30pm and be a bit further of a drive from Reynolds. But it was doable. Even a full three hour game I could get to Reynolds by 6:30pm. Which would work perfect.
On Thursday afternoon, I headed out for the first game of the weekend. I headed east along US422 to PA208 toward New Wilmington. I-80 was showing a back-up of some kind, and the initial route was to PA158 to Mercer. But instead, I continued east to Volant, and then north on US19 to I-80, taking a roundabout way. Then I-79 north to US62. Following the PA965 shortcut east back to US62, going through Franklin and on to Oil City. It was the first time I was in the city of Oil City in quite some time. Having been to Oil City many, many times as a kid.
To get to the high school, is a meandering jumble of city streets that slowly climb from the river crossing into downtown. This was my first time at Oil City High School since 1998. The only time I had been at the Oil Field was when I was still in high school. For a game between Oil City and Greenville, in which the Oilers won in an upset, 19-6.
And this time I was back and I remembered quite a bit of it. Including the large oil derrick that sits in the south endzone. Though, it no longer sprays sparks on touchdown. Instead, replaced with a siren that wails on scores.
#34 – Oil City v. Warren
In 2024, I saw this very matchup in Warren. My first trip to Warren’s War Memorial Stadium. That game, unfortunately, was a blowout. And this one was predicted to be one as well. Though, it started slowly. A 21-0 lead moved to 28-0 at the half. Preventing a running clock. And then a flood of touchdowns in the second half made it 57-0. A shutout for the Oilers.
Oil City crushes Warren, 57-0 on Thursday night (PHOTO GALLERY)
After the game, I was tired. But had a near 70 mile drive home. I stopped at Burger King for something to drink and a Whopper. And then headed back south on PA8 through Franklin and continued on to I-80. Avoiding the heavily wooded US62 and PA965. Then I-80 west in to Hubbard, Ohio and south along US62 once again toward home.
I wanted to get photos done. But, I just didn’t have it in me. I did laundry, and went to bed before finishing the photos of the night.
The next day, I got a very late start. To the point I was about to give up on making the afternoon game. I needed to leave by 2pm, and I couldn’t find my camera’s rain hood. I usually keep one in my car. That way, it’s always there. But, the week before, I had brought it into the house, and then put it somewhere away from the rest of my camera gear. But with the threat of rain, I wasn’t about to go to a game without one. And I had none.
But, after looking through my garage, and my truck, and my house. I found it. Under the couch. In some weird circumstance, it fell on the floor and slid itself under the couch. Just enough that I couldn’t see it. Until i did.
So, I headed out and without time to stop anywhere for food or something to drink. But, I made it to Pittsburgh. Taking a familiar route from US422 to I-79 to I-279. Taking the Veterans Bridge and I-579 to the Sixth Street exit. But this time not taking the Armstrong Tunnel. Instead, taking 2nd to 10th, and crossing to the South Side.
#35 – Allderdice v. Brashear
This was my 7th time seeing Allderdice, and just my 4th time seeing Brashear play. Though, I had yet to see Brashear lose. The game Friday afternoon started scoreless through the first quarter. Before Brashear found the endzone with just 1:02 left in the first half. Brashear extended their lead to 14-0. And it felt like the game would roll slowly to a finish.
But Allderdice quickly answered, and suddenly we had a game for the final 18 minutes. As Allderdice was driving near the end of the game, the 14-8 deficit was looking prime for a comeback. And then a fumble, returned by Brashear 80 yards seemed to have put the game away. With the spritzing rain throughout the day. The sluggish game play. And a long drive to Plum I had to make by 7pm, I made my way out the gate and up the steps toward the parking lot to watch the game from an elevated view. Just a few more plays needed to run off.
And just as quickly, the game exploded. Allderdice returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown. That made things really interesting. And extended the game even further. Allderdice recovered the onside kick. And now had the ball, down 20-16. And were moving it. Until an interception, finally, ended things.
Brashear Bulls their way to a win, 20-16 over Allderdice (PHOTO GALLERY)
It was a quick time getting out of the parking lot, but the traffic around the stadium was gridlock. A backup on the Parkway East made the PA28 route to Plum the best course. That meant getting across the river to the I-576. I couldn’t turn in front of the stadium so I had to go past to 10th, and then turn up to P.J. McArdle Roadway.
The lights were atrocious. But, I finally got onto the Liberty Bridge to I-579 to PA28. Traffick moved freely, and I was at least on pace to get to Plum by 6:50pm. But it was close. The fastest route was through Blawnox to the Hulton Bridge to Oakmont. Taking meandering roads to Kerr and Shearer Road.
The school was packed with cars parking everywhere. And if I had to find a place, there was no way I was making kickoff. But, luckily they did have some media spots saved near the stadium. Which gave me just enough time to get into the stadium just before the Plum Mustangs took the field.
At this point, I had just enough time to get my camera ready, and get a long shot of the coin toss. I only brought one camera in with me, as despite the forecast improving, I was only bringing in one that had a rain hood. Just in case.
#36 – Plum v. Armstrong
This was my first time seeing Plum. And first time at Plum Stadium. It’s a great venue, and was packed for one great matchup. Undefeated Plum and 4-1 Armstrong facing off. I had seen Armstrong once a few years ago at Knoch.
Now, this is, as of Week 7, my Game of the Year. At first, the underdog Riverhawks looked poised to turn the upset. Taking a 24-0 lead into the fourth quarter.
But then, just as it seemed Armstrong was going to walk out of Plum Stadium with a statement win, Plum made a comeback. Same as they did the previous week. A touchdown. A pooch kick recovered. Another touchdown. With 5:19 left, they were down 24-16. With all the momentum on their side. A touchdown made it 24-22, but the two point conversion came up short.
And just as quickly as they had made the comeback, it evaporated with a 71 yard touchdown run by Armstrong’s Jaydon Oliver. Down 31-22, throwing an interception to the 1 yard line, it all looked over. Until a blocked punt was recovered, and returned for the touchdown. Suddenly, it was 31-29 with 2:39 left.
And as they did earlier, recovering an onside kick and quickly advancing down the field. Charles Hart found the endzone, and it was 35-31. With 58 seconds left. But 58 seconds might have been too much time. And it was. By a lot. Kayden Lewis ran back the kickoff for a touchdown. Giving Armstrong back the lead, 38-35.
The game STILL wasn’t over. Plum had 58 seconds. And quickly started moving the ball downfield again. Just as before. Only to throw an interception. Finally, the game was over. 38-35. A seven touchdown fourth quarter. A 4th quarter 24-0 point comeback thwarted by a kickoff return at the very end. Reminiscent of the famed Plano East-Tyler comeback that wasn’t from Texas. The second great game of the day. A comeback that wasn’t. But one hell of a game.
Armstrong survives Plum’s epic comeback attempt, wins 38-35 (PHOTO GALLERY)
It was an amazing game. And one I will remember. And remember how long it took to get out of the school grounds. With one primary pathway for ingress and egress, it was a long wait as all the other cars closer to the road got to leave.
And I went the wrong way. Leaving the school, I made a left. Rather than a right. Which took me on a round about way through the forests of the Allegheny hills. I finally got back to Coxcomb Hill Road, and headed out toward New Kensington. Stopping at a McDonald’s or what I hoped was a quick stop. It was not. But it was that or a Sheetz for a late night meal. I found a Sheetz just after leaving the McDonald’s. Possibly much faster than the long wait. Either way, I stayed on PA366 as it continued through New Kensington past Valley High School and across the river to Tarentum and PA28. And then following the same route I had taken just a few weeks earlier from Burrell. PA356 to Bonniebrook Rd through Herman and Summit Academy to US422. And then followed US422 all the way home.
I got all three games finished that night. Got a shower, and got a late night finished up around 6am. At 11, I was up and heading out to New York. My first CSP game since 2024 as I had not made the trek to New York in 2025.
Leaving home, it was the usual route of PA208 to I-376 to I-80 and continued on to I-79. The shortest route would have taken me back through Franklin to go through Titusville and Corry in to Clymer, New York.
However, the fastest way was to stay on I-79 to Saegertown, following the detour for US6 and US19 through Cambridge Springs to Mill Village. Going east along US6 to Union City. I wanted to stop at McDonald’s before the game. But, the line had wrapped around the building to the street. And I decided I would just wait to eat until after the game. Continuing to head north to PA8 to Wattsburg and PA474. Which turns into NY474 as you pass the state line.
Continuing along NY474 through Clymer and taking the CR10 route shortcut to Panama. Though, Panama was hosting the Panama Rocks Foliage Festival at the Panama Rocks State Park. This meant CR10 was packed with cars just as you get near Panama.
But, with my late start once again and no chance to stop anywhere, I made it to Panama Central School just prior to kickoff. Parking near the bus lot, and walking to the northeast entrance and preparing for kickoff.
#37 – Clymer/Sherman/Panama v. Portville/Cuba-Rushford/Bolivar-Richburg
This was my 19th time seeing CSP play. The third most of any other team. Surpassed only by Greenville and Steubenville. Both places I had lived before. This game broke the tie with Aliquippa, who I had seen play 18 times. And most of that was their constant trips to Heinz Field/Acrisure Stadium and the state finals. As well as many games during the regular season throughout the years.
Now, I had seen Portville play independently five times. But with the new co-op between Section 5’s Cuba-Rushford and Bolivar-Richburg, the co-op counts as a new team. My 1,771st different team. And this was now my 6th game at Panama’s Jack Keeney Commmunity Field. I also got to meet a few people I knew from Section VI and CSP games. Though it did feel strange taking an entire year off from covering games. Coach Harper had moved on, and CSP’s twitter account had turned dormant.
Though New York doesn’t have a running clock rule, it seemed that this game was destined for a one-sided matchup. A 14-0 first quarter lead was caught off guard by Portville/C-R/B-R scoring once in the second quarter to make it, 14-6.
Just as quickly as Portville had made a game of it, CSP dominated the third quarter. Three touchdowns. A commanding 35-14 lead. A mostly penalty free game had still moved the game quickly. Portville finally found the endzone one more time. Before Gavin Burchanowski garnered the Al Bundy Award with his fourth touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter. CSP hangs on to win, 42-14.
Beyond The Keystone: CSP handles Portville, 42-14 (PHOTO GALLERY)
With the CSP game taking just over 2 hours, I had a reasonable amount of time to get down to Reynolds for the Saturday night game. Leaving town, I made it to Clymer and stopped and ordered a pizza from Pizza Hut in Union City. Large carryouts were $10 and it was a better deal than getting a meal at McDonald’s or anywhere else.
I picked up my pizza as I passed through town. Got a sprite at the Kwik Fill. And then continued down US6 to Saegertown and down I-79 to US19 once again. Passing through Sheakleyville and past my other house. Going through Greenville, past Mercer Road and Kidds Mill Road to PA18. And going down to the Sheetz before heading back to the high school.
#38 – Reynolds v. Greenville
I had planned to stop somewhere for dinner between games. So, getting and eating pizza on the road had saved a lot of time. And even with a stop at Sheetz in Transfer, I made it to Reynolds Stadium nearly 50 minutes before kickoff.
Despite the huge game, I wasn’t expecting an overflow crowd. The small visitor stands were already packed by the time I got into the stadium. But the home stand took a while.
This was my 11th Backyard Brawl. And only the third time I’ve seen it at Reynolds Stadium. Overall, I had just seen Greenville lose once. That being the first one, in 1995, when Reynolds beat Greenville, 14-13. And this was my first Backyard Brawl since 2017.
The game was fun. But one-sided. A touchdown, a two point conversion, a safety, and another touchdown made it 17-0 after one for the visiting Trojans. The second quarter was more of the first. Greenville added four more touchdowns. Taking their lead all the way to 45-0 just 22:13 into the game.
With the running clock and a relaxed defense, Reynolds finally found the endzone on a 7 yard TD run. The final quarter took just about 18 minutes. And Greenville walked out of Reynolds Stadium, 45-7 and another win in the Backyard Brawl over their arch rivals.
Greenville’s strong first half fuels 45-7 win over Reynolds (PHOTO GALLERY)
After the game, it was a pretty easy drive home. One I had done probably hundreds of times by now. PA18 to Hermitage where I stopped at Walmart to do some shopping. Before continuing south to US62 along the Shenango Valley Frwy into Ohio and Hubbard. And OH616 towards home.
It was another fun weekend of football.
STATISTICS
Among the 5 games, I added two new teams to my list this week. And just one new stadium. Mileage and costs will be added later this week.
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
2026 Statistics (after Week 7):
38 Games
75 Teams
28 Stadiums
11 States
31 New Teams
18 New Stadiums
1771 different teams
583 different stadiums
1682 total games
NEXT WEEK
Next week is a mystery, even to me. I won’t be around Ohio and Pennsylvania. So, I won’t know for certain what games I could get to until I get closer to the weekend.
Well, I lied. I’m actually going to be around Ohio and Pennsylvania again.
For more, and larger, photos from this week, click HERE.
For photos from previous weeks and seasons, visit http://www.flickr.com/sykotyk/sets/