All Articles

By Steel Valley Sports Photography by Eddie Kahl | Edited by Eddie Kahl, Managing Editor PITTSBURGH — As October fades and the chill of November settles over Western Pennsylvania, a different kind of heat is building across the Steel Valley. From professional headlines to Friday-night fields, 2025 is shaping up as one of the most electric sports years this region has seen in decades. Rodgers Era in Pittsburgh Begins The biggest story remains the arrival of Aaron Rodgers , who

By Eddie Kahl | Steel Valley Sports Photography by Eddie Kahl YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO — There’s a new buzz around Youngstown State football, and it’s not just the echo of the Ice Castle crowd on game day. The Penguins are quietly building something sustainable — a program grounded in physicality, discipline, and steady progress that’s catching the attention of college football watchers across the Midwest. A Clear Identity Head coach Doug Phillips has emphasized the same message sinc

High school football in the Steel Valley is more than just a game. It’s a pulse that runs through the veins of Western Pennsylvania, Northeast Ohio, and Northern West Virginia. The rivalries here are fierce, historic, and packed with passion. Every Friday night, stadiums fill with roaring crowds, painted faces, and the unmistakable sound of cleats pounding the turf. These rivalries are the heartbeats of communities, where pride and tradition collide in thrilling clashes. The

By Steel Valley Sports Staff November 2, 2025 TORONTO — In one of the most dramatic finales in recent Fall Classic history, the Los Angeles Dodgers edged the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in 11 innings  to claim the 2025 World Series and become the first franchise in 25 years to win back-to-back championships. AP News+2MLB.com+2 A Game Defined by Momentum Swings Toronto jumped ahead early, but Los Angeles refused to flinch. After trailing 3-0 and then 4-2, the Dodgers mounted a comeb

By Steel Valley Sports Staff | Photography by Eddie Kahl November 1, 2025 — Slippery Rock, PA The 22nd-ranked Slippery Rock University football team gave its home crowd plenty to cheer about on Senior Day, powering past Clarion 42-23 on Saturday afternoon at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. The win marked The Rock’s eighth straight victory  over the Golden Eagles and kept their postseason hopes very much alive as the PSAC West race nears its finish line. Slippery Rock improved to 6-

By Eddie Kahl | Steel Valley Sports Photography by Eddie Kahl PITTSBURGH — Even in a season where wins were hard to come by for the Pittsburgh Pirates , one player made sure the franchise stayed in the national spotlight.Right-hander Paul Skenes  has been named the National League Outstanding Pitcher of the Year  by the MLB Players Association , capping off a sophomore season that solidified his place among baseball’s elite arms. A Season of Dominance At just 23 years old, Sk

By Eddie Kahl | Steel Valley Sports TORONTO —  Under the closed roof of Rogers Centre, the Los Angeles Dodgers  kept their championship hopes alive. In a must-win Game 6 of the 2025 World Series , the Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 3–1 , forcing a winner-take-all finale on Saturday night. Mookie Betts Sparks the Lineup Manager Dave Roberts  made a bold move, reshuffling the batting order in search of offense. The adjustment paid off early as Mookie Betts , moved into

By Steel Valley Sports Photography by Eddie Kahl YOUNGSTOWN, OH — It hasn’t been a perfect season, but the Youngstown State Penguins  are proving that progress isn’t always measured by the standings alone. Sitting at 5–3 overall  and 3–2 in conference play , YSU has shown flashes of what Head Coach Doug Phillips  has been building since taking over the program — a disciplined, tough, and resilient football team. The Offense Finding Balance Quarterback play has been steady, wi

By Steel Valley Sports Photography by Eddie Kahl CLEVELAND — The 2025 season didn’t end with a playoff berth, but it did end with something Cleveland baseball has quietly been missing — momentum. The Cleveland Guardians  finished the year with a roster full of homegrown talent, a pitching staff that showed flashes of dominance, and a fan base that’s beginning to see the payoff of patience. A Season of Lessons, Not Letdowns The Guardians’ final record might not tell the full s

By Marcus Taylor | Steel Valley Sports Edited by David Rosen, Managing Editor • Photography by Eddie Kahl CLEVELAND — From the roar inside Cleveland Browns Stadium to the echo of the crack of a bat at Progressive Field, there’s a new rhythm building along Lake Erie. After years of frustration and transition, Cleveland’s major sports teams are finding fresh energy — not in championships yet, but in attitude, culture, and connection. The Browns: Searching for Identity, Not Just

By Marcus Taylor | Steel Valley Sports Edited by David Rosen, Managing Editor • Photography by Eddie Kahl CLEVELAND — A new season brings new expectations for the Cleveland Cavaliers , a team standing on the edge between promise and pressure. After back-to-back playoff appearances, the Cavs enter 2025 determined to prove they belong among the Eastern Conference elite. Donovan Mitchell’s Defining Year All eyes are once again on Donovan Mitchell , who enters the season as the f

By Steel Valley Sports Photography by Eddie Kahl PITTSBURGH — There’s something different in the air around the Steel City this fall. The roar of Acrisure Stadium, the crack of the bat at PNC Park — it all feels like a city rediscovering its confidence. With Aaron Rodgers  leading the Steelers for what he’s called his final NFL season  and Paul Skenes  emerging as one of baseball’s brightest young arms, Pittsburgh sports are stepping back into the national spotlight. Rodgers’

By Steel Valley Sports Photography by Eddie Kahl PITTSBURGH — A new season brings a familiar feeling to the Steel City: cautious optimism wrapped in tradition. The Pittsburgh Penguins  open the 2025–26 campaign with a roster that blends established leadership with an influx of speed, energy, and youth. For the first time in years, it feels like the franchise has found balance — not just chasing another playoff run, but building a foundation for the future. Crosby Still the He

By Eddie Kahl | Steel Valley Sports Photography by Eddie Kahl PITTSBURGH — The Steel City is buzzing again, and for good reason. After a blockbuster offseason that sent wide receiver George Pickens to the NFC and brought future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers to Pittsburgh, the Steelers are officially entering a new chapter — one that combines veteran leadership with classic Pittsburgh grit. Rodgers Brings Experience and Expectation At 41, Rodgers isn’t a long-term solution — he’

By Eddie Kahl | Steel Valley Sports Sharon, Pa —  The band’s playing, the crowd’s fired up, and the lights cut through a chilly night. In this part of the country — Western Pennsylvania, Northeast Ohio, and Northern West Virginia — football isn’t entertainment. It’s who we are. Community Before Kickoff From Farrell to Aliquippa, Friday nights still mean something. Some folks head straight from work to the field, others catch the score between shifts — but everyone knows who’s