As time went on, our Athletic Director (Chris Weakland) and Assistant Athletic Director (Loren Crispell), reached out to our students, players and their families to try to make the best of an unfortunate situation, for our senior class in particular. The State College Athletics Department and Administration heard loud and clear from everyone that we wanted home games in State College. We are so grateful that they were willing to take this feedback and turn it into a solution. The recommendation was to turn our South Track Field into our home field for the season. While we were all skeptical of the solution initially, since there were no football lines, goalposts, lights or bleachers at the field, we knew that it was our only hope. It wasn’t until the night of August 30th in our first game vs. St. Augustine Prep from New Jersey, that we made the South Track Field our home field for the year. I must say, that while it wasn’t Memorial Field, the venue had amazing vibes. After a hard fought win, our incredible student section rushed the field and the South Track Field officially became our home for the year, or so we thought.

It was about that time that a rumor started regarding Beaver Stadium being opened for a high school football game this fall. From the moment I heard about that possibility, I got goosebumps over the thought of our team and especially our seniors walking out of that tunnel to play a game there. While the rumors flew, there was no confirmation until late September when we were allowed to finally release the news to our team. Their extreme excitement was short lived as our captains quickly refocused the group to the 1-0 mentality of CD East, our next opponent. While the buzz continued, our players and coaches were able to stay focused on our task each week, knowing that our kids would have the opportunity to play on Beaver Stadium on Senior Night.

Finally, the week of the game came. As we prepared to play Cumberland Valley, we tried to minimize distractions for our kids while also making sure they were able to fully experience this unbelievable event. Practice was phenomenal that week and the kids were extremely motivated to play. The morning of the game, you could feel the nerves as our players were served breakfast from our Booster Club.

We dressed at the high school and boarded our buses for Beaver Stadium. Officer John Aston, our school resource officer, organized a police escort for our three buses and athletic training van. As we drove down Westerly Parkway driving through red lights with the police lights flashing and sirens blaring, you could feel the excitement build. We unloaded in front of the stadium and were greeted by the Penn State Athletics staff and our team liaisons. We headed into the locker room to drop our bags. Then as a team, we took a lap around the perimeter of the field. This gave us views that most of us had only ever seen from the stands.

Walking out of the tunnel to take the field was one of the most surreal feelings imaginable. As neat as I always dreamt that it might be, it was so much more magical. Having been around football my entire life at both the high school and collegiate level, I had never experienced anything like that before.

The game was magical, well not at the start. State College got off to the slowest start of the season and we struggled to get the ball moving due to a few mistakes and some very evident nerves. All of which soon dissipated and then the touchdowns came. Our team celebrated each touchdown with swinging arms, simulating the numerous touchdown celebrations that Saquon Barkley had on this field. At the conclusion of our senior day, our team stood together, singing the State College Alma Mater, victorious and full of memories they will cherish for the rest of their lives.

WE ARE … THANKFUL!!!

Penn State Athletics: While certainly Coach Franklin must have given his approval, the bulk of the efforts to make this possible took place within the Penn State Athletics program. Sincerely we thank you Sandy Barbour, Scott Sidwell and your staff for the countless hours that you put into bringing this idea into fruition. I also must say thank you to Jennifer James, Kathryn Benda and Rachel Rito, who were instrumental in getting things going from a logistics standpoint. Knowing just a few of the roadblocks that you hit, we are so grateful for your persistence and efforts in navigating this journey and make it a reality for our kids.

Herb Combs and the Beaver Stadium Grounds Crew: I can only imagine how unbelievably nerve racking this must have been for you. The field at Beaver Stadium is your livelihood. Hosting an additional event on this grass certainly demanded a great deal of additional effort on your end, all of which we are eternally grateful for. Giving our players and band the opportunity to step foot on this surface was certainly a memory they will cherish forever. Thank you for your efforts in making this happen.

Paul Olivett and the State College Education Foundation: Thank you for your commitment to all student experiences. Your acknowledgement of the educational experiences that take place outside the classroom is appreciated. Thanks for hosting the pregame tailgate at Beaver Stadium and for your commitment to the Campaign for Memorial Field. And those new band uniforms look amazing!

State College Athletic Directors: Chris Weakland and Loren Crispell worked countless hours this year to make this trying season a success for our team, band, cheerleaders, students and community. Without their commitment to our students, none of this would have been possible. Not only would we probably not been at Beaver Stadium or South Track but we likely would have been traveling two hours for most of our games. We are so grateful for their sacrifice and commitment to this educational experience for our students. Words can’t express our gratitude.

State College Grounds Crew: Chad Todd and Jason Hamer were unbelievable in getting the South Track Field ready for football and fans. Their vision to foresee what the site would look like even before it came to fruition was incredible. The stress they endured in the final days before our season began was unprecedented. Without them, this season and the memories wouldn't have been possible.

State College Band, Cheerleaders, Fans and Student Section:

High school football is not just about football. Game day’s are for our entire school and especially our band, cheerleaders and students section. I honestly can’t even put into words how impactful they are on the success of our team. Their passion, enthusiasm and support is unwavering. A few highlights from the year include:

-the football team joining the post game drum line after our Harrisburg game.

-the cheerleaders taking the time each week to make good luck cards for our seniors

-our student section rushing the field after our first victory at the South Track Field

The unity of our school and the “Stand Together” theme that has developed out of this connection not only directs school spirit but has helped to bring together groups of students who’s paths may not otherwise cross. Thank you all for truly being the difference in so many games this year!

Photographers and Videographers: We were blessed with so many photographers and videographers to capture the memories of the season. None were more dedicated than 8th grader Jacob Will, 11th grader Caleb Craig and Mark Helbley (Grandfather to Kevin and Kyle Kurzinger) who attended every game. I would also like to thank Todd Siekman, Brian Reed, Deb Salada, Todd Judd, Nabil Mark, Grace Brennan and Heather Weikel. The numerous albums of images and video from this season are priceless treasures that will be cherished forever. The pictures in this come document come from you. We can’t thank you enough!

State College Football Booster Club: Without you, we don’t have a team. It is not just the food and clothing you provide, but it is the love you share that is the difference. Your dedication to our team is unconditional. It is so inspiring to watch you do everything that you do with no expectation of anything in return. You are teaching our team how to serve and how to love and for this precious gift, I thank you!

State College Football Coaches & Their Families: I firmly believe that I have the best group of assistant football coaches in the entire state. The football knowledge, both technique and schemes, that our coaches have is phenomenal. However, this isn’t what makes them the best staff in the state. They don’t just coach football, they love kids and know that coaching football is about a lot more than coaching football. Our coaches dedicate their time, energy and efforts into preparing our players for the field and for life. They are teachers of people. Through the battles and challenges of each season, I know this staff always has my back. Thank you for your unending support!

This group sacrificed their home field for the benefit of all future teams. The storybook twist in the plot to get to play in Beaver Stadium certainly couldn’t have been more fitting. This was a special group of seniors, who finished off their careers as the winningest class in State College Football History.

33 wins in 3 years

Their legacy on the field will live on through the program and their example. This is a group that be the standard to which future classes are compared to.

Below is the locker room after our final game of the season. After a hard-fought loss and end to the season, the custodial staff at North Allegheny said that this was the cleanest postgame locker room they had ever seen. Win or lose, this is who we are. We are so proud of you and thankful for you!

WE ARE … THANKFUL!!!