While I've always enjoyed the friendly confines of Greenway Avenue Stadium, and always prefer a game there to anywhere, I'd be lying if I said I didn't look forward to a good road trip. What makes a good road trip? Well, many factors come into play, but the trifecta for me involves 1) just the right distance, 2) perfect food, and 3) a great atmosphere. In all my years of following Cumberland area football, I'd like to mention a few of my favorites here, feel free to join in:
1) The old CVAL Road Trips were the best: At just over an hour, no more than an hour and a half, those trips to Death Valley in Martinsburg, 2) Moomaw Stadium in Hedgesville, 3) Waldeck Field in Bunker Hill (Musselman) and of course 4) Jefferson's Stadium in Shenandoah Junction were just perfect. You knew the roads, you could drive to those stadiums with your eyes closed, and of course food opportunities were endless. You could stop at the Park N Dine in Hancock with half of Cumberland, or of course you had all that Hagerstown could offer in exotic fare....and in those days Red Lobster was pretty exotic, lol. You had great atmosphere, Martinsburg of course was a beastly place to visit and the Bulldogs/Sentinels rivalr in particular was as heated as any Interstate rivalry around.....Martinsburg to me was the quintessentially perfect road trip, always a highly anticipated game and trip. Musselman was a tough, great atmosphere and of course Hedgesville had some great years in the mid 90's in which winning there was tough. Finally, Jefferson was the longest trip and usually the surest bet of a victory, but with Jefferson you never knew what athletes they'd bring to the table. Speaking of the table, a post-game stop at the McDonald's on Sharpsburg Pike was a must.
2) Central (PA): That most recent trip to Central in Pennsylvania was a jim dandy. A great opponent, and an unbelievable small town football atmosphere. It was a packed house, with Central folks en masse on the Fort Hill side, it kind of gave Fort Hill folks a taste of their own medicine, invading both sides is usually how we roll. I recall specifically how great it was that the Stadium was right smack in the middle of a neighborhood on top of a hill and that we passed many a front-yard pre-game tailgate on our walk to the Stadium. Then there's the food, with all that the Bedford Area has to offer quality dining options were limitless.
3) Ligonier Valley: The appeal of heading into the Western Pennsylvania mountains to take on an undefeated and unfamiliar opponent in an awesome small town atmosphere was exciting. The trip over was beautiful into the Laurel Highlands and the atmosphere was pretty good, despite the rain, oh the rain, the rain dampened spirits somewhat but the Sentinel's thrasing of Ligonier Valley and the whiny post-game antics of their coach made the trip worth it. Little did he know Fort Hill folks would find his comments on the Internet and at least attempt to set the record straight. Anyway, alot of anticipation for this one and I remember it fondly.
4) Sherando: Ironic that we're playing Sherando this year. Who could forget that trip down to Stevens City (or close to it) to face the Warriors in their Inaugural Season. A bit of a drive, and unfamiliar territory for most, however, the beautiful brand new facilities and the Warrior on Horseback made for a great night. Then there was the announcer, who could ever forget his "First Down Shhhheeeeeerrrrrrrraaaaannnnnndddddo" chants? It was a good win for the Sentinels, but of course Sherando has developed one heckuva program since then. Don't remember the food, but I'm guessing you could have hit anythting in the Interstate 70/Interstate 81 corridor for this one.
5) Keyser: Cumberland Schools versus Keyser is always a classic. Plus, you're looking at a half hour plus and all the treasure troves Keyser restaurants have to offer, For a small town, th eating options are tremendous here. It's a road trip without really leaving the area, but the atmosphere is always intense, the crowds are big, and with the new stadium the facilities are first rate. Who doesn't circle the Keyser road trips on the schedule? Great, great rivalries with the Golden Tornado and of course Keyser is a great little football town.
I haven't had time to think this through, I'm sure I'll come up with many more, but here's a short list. Thoughts? Comments?
1) The old CVAL Road Trips were the best: At just over an hour, no more than an hour and a half, those trips to Death Valley in Martinsburg, 2) Moomaw Stadium in Hedgesville, 3) Waldeck Field in Bunker Hill (Musselman) and of course 4) Jefferson's Stadium in Shenandoah Junction were just perfect. You knew the roads, you could drive to those stadiums with your eyes closed, and of course food opportunities were endless. You could stop at the Park N Dine in Hancock with half of Cumberland, or of course you had all that Hagerstown could offer in exotic fare....and in those days Red Lobster was pretty exotic, lol. You had great atmosphere, Martinsburg of course was a beastly place to visit and the Bulldogs/Sentinels rivalr in particular was as heated as any Interstate rivalry around.....Martinsburg to me was the quintessentially perfect road trip, always a highly anticipated game and trip. Musselman was a tough, great atmosphere and of course Hedgesville had some great years in the mid 90's in which winning there was tough. Finally, Jefferson was the longest trip and usually the surest bet of a victory, but with Jefferson you never knew what athletes they'd bring to the table. Speaking of the table, a post-game stop at the McDonald's on Sharpsburg Pike was a must.
2) Central (PA): That most recent trip to Central in Pennsylvania was a jim dandy. A great opponent, and an unbelievable small town football atmosphere. It was a packed house, with Central folks en masse on the Fort Hill side, it kind of gave Fort Hill folks a taste of their own medicine, invading both sides is usually how we roll. I recall specifically how great it was that the Stadium was right smack in the middle of a neighborhood on top of a hill and that we passed many a front-yard pre-game tailgate on our walk to the Stadium. Then there's the food, with all that the Bedford Area has to offer quality dining options were limitless.
3) Ligonier Valley: The appeal of heading into the Western Pennsylvania mountains to take on an undefeated and unfamiliar opponent in an awesome small town atmosphere was exciting. The trip over was beautiful into the Laurel Highlands and the atmosphere was pretty good, despite the rain, oh the rain, the rain dampened spirits somewhat but the Sentinel's thrasing of Ligonier Valley and the whiny post-game antics of their coach made the trip worth it. Little did he know Fort Hill folks would find his comments on the Internet and at least attempt to set the record straight. Anyway, alot of anticipation for this one and I remember it fondly.
4) Sherando: Ironic that we're playing Sherando this year. Who could forget that trip down to Stevens City (or close to it) to face the Warriors in their Inaugural Season. A bit of a drive, and unfamiliar territory for most, however, the beautiful brand new facilities and the Warrior on Horseback made for a great night. Then there was the announcer, who could ever forget his "First Down Shhhheeeeeerrrrrrrraaaaannnnnndddddo" chants? It was a good win for the Sentinels, but of course Sherando has developed one heckuva program since then. Don't remember the food, but I'm guessing you could have hit anythting in the Interstate 70/Interstate 81 corridor for this one.
5) Keyser: Cumberland Schools versus Keyser is always a classic. Plus, you're looking at a half hour plus and all the treasure troves Keyser restaurants have to offer, For a small town, th eating options are tremendous here. It's a road trip without really leaving the area, but the atmosphere is always intense, the crowds are big, and with the new stadium the facilities are first rate. Who doesn't circle the Keyser road trips on the schedule? Great, great rivalries with the Golden Tornado and of course Keyser is a great little football town.
I haven't had time to think this through, I'm sure I'll come up with many more, but here's a short list. Thoughts? Comments?
