Rivals unite for a Spooky Bowl built on inclusion
Oct 22, 2026
WINTERSVILLE — Kettlewell Memorial Stadium will set the stage for the Fourth Annual Unified Sports Spooky Bowl matchup as Indian Creek High School hosts Edison on Oct. 30.
The inclusive flag football game will take place at 10 a.m. and feature blended teams of students with and without developmental or intellectual disabilities. Jefferson County Unified Sports Director Tom Mort said the annual event has come a long way since it began five years ago and has created memories that last a lifetime.
“Unified football promotes inclusion by bringing together students of all abilities to participate, compete, and succeed as teammates. The program creates meaningful opportunities for students with and without disabilities to build friendships, develop mutual respect, and work toward common goals both on and off the field,” Mort explained. “Through shared experiences, athletes learn the value of teamwork, communication, leadership, and sportsmanship. Unified football helps foster a school culture where diversity is celebrated, barriers are broken down, and every student feels valued, accepted, and included. By emphasizing ability, collaboration, and belonging, unified sports create a stronger, more connected community for all participants.”
The team is expected to receive new uniforms through the Cleveland Browns, a partner in unified sports statewide. Mort hopes to have the jerseys in hand by game time. He added that playing against Edison also showcases the best of both schools during a day of friendly competition.
“When we became a Unified Champion School five years ago, it made sense to play our biggest rival in the Spooky Bowl. Once Edison became a unified school, we made the connections and our students love it. Both schools have wonderful, inclusive students and this event allows both schools to showcase the great things that we do.”
Indian Creek players and coaches include Franco Baracalow, Avien D’Ambra, Lane Speece, Nizair Vick, Jabari White, Parker Heath, Ethan Starr, Bo Paulman, Aiden Speegle, Colton Dawson, Brayden Stewart, Paxson Gorby, Payton Geary, Masen Karas, Elijah Painter, Matthew Morris, Sonny Adams and Noah Mercer, along with Alex Fabian and Misha Amis from Jefferson County Joint Vocational School.
The ICHS cheerleaders will include Baylee Brown, Madelynn Forrester, Evelyn Leech, Chloe Flesher, Morgan Moffat, Madelynn Adams and Haylee Shaffer. Edison was finalizing its roster, but officials said the Wildcats would be ready for the game.
ICHS Unified Sports Director Amber Scott has worked with school resource officer Deputy Matt Morgan to compile the player list. She said the team has been practicing several times a week.
“They go out during flex period and the cheerleaders have been doing cheers,” she added. “It nice to see people step up and take responsibility. It’s taken a couple of years to get everything together and we have two football games in the fall with winter and spring basketball, a track meet, and the annual banquet.”
Scott referred to Mort’s efforts five years ago to coordinate unified sports at Indian Creek and establish a combined team to compete against similar teams from Buckeye Local, Edison and Steubenville.
Indian Creek has hosted the annual Spooky Bowl and Turkey Bowl flag football games around Halloween and Thanksgiving, respectively, and has participated in basketball matchups and track meets on and off campus.
Scott said new players have joined the team this year. Seniors Brayden Stewart and Maddie Adams are returning, and graduate Kaleb Mannion may coach.
She also thanked district Superintendent Dr. T.C. Chappelear, Assistant Superintendent John Belt and Bruce Mazar for serving as officials. Teacher Amanda Speece is designing the run-through banner, A.J. Banks is taking photos and Kristin Palavis’ business class will operate the concession stand and create shirts for the event. District Board-Certified Behavior Analyst Michelle Duprey-Anderson also plans to bring elementary students to watch the game.
“Everybody has a part in some way,” she commented.
Edison Local School District Special Education Director Christina Henderson is coordinating the Wildcats’ participation and said there has been plenty of volunteer involvement.
“It’s awesome to see the collaboration between our students with disabilities, the varsity athletes, and the school students,” she said. “This is a day to celebrate them.”
Henderson added that adult volunteers are also contributing their time. Physical education teacher Gina Fogle allows the team to practice during lunchtime intramurals. Intervention specialists Jason Ensinger and Mike Collopy are coaching the football and basketball games, respectively, while Ryan Sronce will handle the track meet. Teacher Danah Beaver will serve as a coaching assistant.
“It’s definitely a team effort for Edison Jr./Sr. High. It’s exciting and we’re grateful to get more support for our athletes, and it’s a great way to show how Edison can come together.”
Henderson said Edison will host a basketball game this winter and the annual track meet this spring. The student body will be on hand to cheer on athletes at those events.
Ensinger said coaching the Spooky Bowl has been a rewarding experience and that athletes have been preparing for the matchup.
“Practice started during the intramural block of our A and B lunches for the two weeks leading up to the Spooky Bowl and members of our Jr. Beta Club and Leadership Council are helping to run practices,” he said. “The athletes and coaches are all excited to participate in unified sports again this year. Our students always look forward to these unified events and it always makes for a fun atmosphere. We have so many kids that are willing to help out in any way they can and they are truly supportive to our athletes and the athletes of the other teams. It has been great to see the number of opportunities expand over the years to where we are now participating in yearly football, basketball, and track events.”
The inclusive flag football game will take place at 10 a.m. and feature blended teams of students with and without developmental or intellectual disabilities. Jefferson County Unified Sports Director Tom Mort said the annual event has come a long way since it began five years ago and has created memories that last a lifetime.
“Unified football promotes inclusion by bringing together students of all abilities to participate, compete, and succeed as teammates. The program creates meaningful opportunities for students with and without disabilities to build friendships, develop mutual respect, and work toward common goals both on and off the field,” Mort explained. “Through shared experiences, athletes learn the value of teamwork, communication, leadership, and sportsmanship. Unified football helps foster a school culture where diversity is celebrated, barriers are broken down, and every student feels valued, accepted, and included. By emphasizing ability, collaboration, and belonging, unified sports create a stronger, more connected community for all participants.”
The team is expected to receive new uniforms through the Cleveland Browns, a partner in unified sports statewide. Mort hopes to have the jerseys in hand by game time. He added that playing against Edison also showcases the best of both schools during a day of friendly competition.
“When we became a Unified Champion School five years ago, it made sense to play our biggest rival in the Spooky Bowl. Once Edison became a unified school, we made the connections and our students love it. Both schools have wonderful, inclusive students and this event allows both schools to showcase the great things that we do.”
Indian Creek players and coaches include Franco Baracalow, Avien D’Ambra, Lane Speece, Nizair Vick, Jabari White, Parker Heath, Ethan Starr, Bo Paulman, Aiden Speegle, Colton Dawson, Brayden Stewart, Paxson Gorby, Payton Geary, Masen Karas, Elijah Painter, Matthew Morris, Sonny Adams and Noah Mercer, along with Alex Fabian and Misha Amis from Jefferson County Joint Vocational School.
The ICHS cheerleaders will include Baylee Brown, Madelynn Forrester, Evelyn Leech, Chloe Flesher, Morgan Moffat, Madelynn Adams and Haylee Shaffer. Edison was finalizing its roster, but officials said the Wildcats would be ready for the game.
ICHS Unified Sports Director Amber Scott has worked with school resource officer Deputy Matt Morgan to compile the player list. She said the team has been practicing several times a week.
“They go out during flex period and the cheerleaders have been doing cheers,” she added. “It nice to see people step up and take responsibility. It’s taken a couple of years to get everything together and we have two football games in the fall with winter and spring basketball, a track meet, and the annual banquet.”
Scott referred to Mort’s efforts five years ago to coordinate unified sports at Indian Creek and establish a combined team to compete against similar teams from Buckeye Local, Edison and Steubenville.
Indian Creek has hosted the annual Spooky Bowl and Turkey Bowl flag football games around Halloween and Thanksgiving, respectively, and has participated in basketball matchups and track meets on and off campus.
Scott said new players have joined the team this year. Seniors Brayden Stewart and Maddie Adams are returning, and graduate Kaleb Mannion may coach.
She also thanked district Superintendent Dr. T.C. Chappelear, Assistant Superintendent John Belt and Bruce Mazar for serving as officials. Teacher Amanda Speece is designing the run-through banner, A.J. Banks is taking photos and Kristin Palavis’ business class will operate the concession stand and create shirts for the event. District Board-Certified Behavior Analyst Michelle Duprey-Anderson also plans to bring elementary students to watch the game.
“Everybody has a part in some way,” she commented.
Edison Local School District Special Education Director Christina Henderson is coordinating the Wildcats’ participation and said there has been plenty of volunteer involvement.
“It’s awesome to see the collaboration between our students with disabilities, the varsity athletes, and the school students,” she said. “This is a day to celebrate them.”
Henderson added that adult volunteers are also contributing their time. Physical education teacher Gina Fogle allows the team to practice during lunchtime intramurals. Intervention specialists Jason Ensinger and Mike Collopy are coaching the football and basketball games, respectively, while Ryan Sronce will handle the track meet. Teacher Danah Beaver will serve as a coaching assistant.
“It’s definitely a team effort for Edison Jr./Sr. High. It’s exciting and we’re grateful to get more support for our athletes, and it’s a great way to show how Edison can come together.”
Henderson said Edison will host a basketball game this winter and the annual track meet this spring. The student body will be on hand to cheer on athletes at those events.
Ensinger said coaching the Spooky Bowl has been a rewarding experience and that athletes have been preparing for the matchup.
“Practice started during the intramural block of our A and B lunches for the two weeks leading up to the Spooky Bowl and members of our Jr. Beta Club and Leadership Council are helping to run practices,” he said. “The athletes and coaches are all excited to participate in unified sports again this year. Our students always look forward to these unified events and it always makes for a fun atmosphere. We have so many kids that are willing to help out in any way they can and they are truly supportive to our athletes and the athletes of the other teams. It has been great to see the number of opportunities expand over the years to where we are now participating in yearly football, basketball, and track events.”
— Contributed by Jefferson County ESC Public Relations
