As the sun set on Jimmy Carey Stadium the evening of Sept. 8, 100 years of Weir’s football alumni descended on the school.
More than 200 alumni contributed to the festive and emotional atmosphere at the game, including former All-State and All-Valley, collegiate, and even NFL players. The group contained three Kennedy Award winners as well as eight state-championship teams.
Donning commemorative shirts made for the occasion, they celebrated decades of team comradery, shared memories, enjoyed refreshments, watched the Red Riders take on Indian Creek and were recognized by all in attendance in a half-time ceremony.
Weir High School pulled out all the stops, arranging a special alumni hospitality area and having them greet the current team as they emerged from the inflated helmet in a cloud of smoke. The Kennedy Award winners served as honorary captains for the coin toss.
Quincy Wilson, a 1999 graduate and former NFL player, said “I had four years of that 100 years. Playoffs, some losing seasons, some winning seasons, but ultimately ending as state champs.”

Head football coach Frank Sisinni said, “When I was out there at the alumni table, I saw a lot of guys who were greeting each other with hugs and telling stories and laughter. The feedback I heard across the board is that they had a great time, and they were very happy with the experience.”
It wasn’t a mistake that the team faced Indian Creek that night. Sisinni planned it that way. In an interview with The Weirton Daily Times, he said “I wanted to play Indian Creek (for this game) because of the long history Weir High School had with Mingo High School and Wintersville High School. Weir High has a big rivalry with those two schools that are now Indian Creek. Playing an opponent with that history is a great way to celebrate the program and the battles throughout the years.”
In a decisive victory, the Riders beat the Redskins 41-8 to cap the celebration.
In the same Times interview, Sisinni said, ““It was very special to win this game,” Sisinni said. “There were a lot of alumni here who gave their blood, sweat and tears to this program. They built this program, and we want to continue to progress it and win the Weir High way. It was great to be able to come away with a win in front of all these alumni, and it was great for the community that came out. That made it an even more successful night.”
Senior football player Malachi Stromile said, “It was very special to me, and I felt honored to perform in front of all of them. It was a little stressful trying to do my best in front of the legends that came through here. We went to Theo Yianni’s after the game with the alumni. It was fun and felt good to get compliments from them.”
In an interview, current Weir High football player, Damir Mowder said it was special to the team to showcase their talent and the way they can play. Mowder said, “They played Red Rider football and we showed them Red Rider football.”