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Fifth Quarter offers kids post-game fun
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Pastor Lou Scalzo helps teenagers have fun at Highway Tabernacle's Fifth Quarter instead of getting into trouble.
By Jon Moffett
The program provides a safe place for students to go.
AUSTINTOWN — There are plenty of things for students to do after football games.
Unfortunately, many of them are either illegal or dangerous.
That’s why Lou Scalzo, the youth pastor at Highway Tabernacle Church on Raccoon Road, loves the program his church organizes.
“There are a lot of things that teenagers do at night when they’re bored, and there aren’t a lot of places around here to do anything,” The Rev. Mr. Scalzo said. “So, we teamed with the school and decided as a church, why not bring them here?”
The Highway Tabernacle has hosted a party for all Austintown Fitch High School students after every home football game for the past 10 years, Mr. Scalzo said. He said the reason for the party was because students were getting into trouble.
“Ten years ago, the football team got in trouble — a bunch of the seniors got in trouble — after one of the football games. And the youth pastor at that time got to know the head football coach and they got together and said, ‘Maybe we can do something.’”
The party begins shortly after the game ends, and students file over to the church for food, games and fun.
Mr. Scalzo said on any given week, the party can have as many as 600 to 700 kids.
He said the reason it has been so successful is because everyone knows they’ll be safe and have fun.
“We can give them a safe environment,” Mr. Scalzo said. “The teens will be safe; their parents will know that they’re safe. We’ve got policemen around to keep things in order and just give them the best time.”
The football team also appreciates the support it receives from the students and the church.
D.J. Moss, 17, a senior, plays on the offensive and defensive lines. He said he has been attending Fifth Quarter since his freshman year.
“It’s definitely a great thing seeing everyone come together and have a good time after the game,” Moss said.
“There are a bunch of games and free food, it’s really awesome. We have so many people come to these. It keeps a lot of kids out of trouble and it’s a fun time.”
Mr. Scalzo is in his third year as youth pastor at the church. He said when he first started, the crowd would be anywhere from 200 to 300 kids.
He said the party now averages around 650 kids. Despite the massive crowd that gathers after each home game, Mr. Scalzo hopes the crowd will get even bigger.
The church is having a Fifth Quarter talent show Friday and Mr. Scalzo hopes to have more than 1,000 kids present.
Mr. Scalzo said the best part about his job is seeing the positive impact he and the church can have on a teenager’s life.
“I think there are so many things that they’re directionless in, and just helping them to get to know us and give them a direction, to me it’s great,” Mr. Scalzo said. “The secret for us is to get them involved doing things and that really works for teenagers in general.”
Although the activities are at the church, Mr. Scalzo said there is a separation between the fun and the faith.
jmoffett@vindy.com