Pigskin Geography ®
A United States Geography Program
based on the
National Football League
schedule from
September 12, 2010 - January 2, 2011
presented by
Gannett Ohio Media
serving Central Ohio, Greater Cincinnati and Northern
Kentucky
Pigskin Geography ®
Dear NIE Teacher:
PIGSKIN GEOGRAPHY will be a rewarding addition to your NIE program. Remember, the quizzes are
always worked during the school week prior to the games on Sunday. It is suggested that the first
one or two quizzes be worked as a teacher directed, whole class practice activity to give the students an
idea of how to answer the quizzes and informed as to exactly what is expected of them.
In addition to the quizzes and answer keys, the supplemental materials included are:
1.
Five Themes of Geography. A suggestion is to divide a bulletin board into five sections with each
section being titled with one of the five themes. Have the students clip articles from your
newspaper that serve as an example of each theme to display in the appropriate section of the
bulletin board.
2.
Student Study Hint Sheet. The bible! A must for every student to have as a constant companion.
Many answers are here.
3.
Two-letter state abbreviations with nicknames to be used when students have to identify states a
team will fly across en route to a game.
4.
Time Zone Map
5.
Population information from THE WORLD ALMANAC—2010, page 618-619.
6.
Seating capacity of stadia in the NFL and a graphing suggestion.
Note: Items 2-6 should be a student’s constant companion for reference.
7.
NFL city location map
8.
Suggestions for weekly enrichment activities.
9.
Addition-Subtraction, Graphing Activity. Improve computational and graphing skills. Students will
have fun at the same time. Parents will enjoy hearing about this.
Please let me help with your PIGSKIN GEOGRAPHY program this fall in any way I can. I want
this program to be an educational success for you and your school.
Sincerely,
Student’s Study Hint Sheet
Student Reference Information
Pigskin Geography®
CAPITALS --DENVER
ATLANTA INDIANAPOLIS NASHVILLE(TN)
PHOENIX (AZ) --Stadium is in Glendale, but we use the capital.
BOSTON (N.E.) --Stadium is in Foxborough, but we use the capital.
Washington, D.C. is the nation's capital.
RIVERS --
Mississippi River cities:
Minneapolis(MN), St. Louis, New Orleans
Ohio River cities:
Pittsburgh, Cincinnati
Missouri River city:
Kansas City
Detroit River city:
Detroit
Delaware River city:
Philadelphia
Cumberland River city:
Nashville(TN)
Pittsburgh: Ohio River formed at confluence of Allegheny and Monongahela
Philadelphia is at the confluence of the Delaware and Schuylkill
St. Louis is near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri
ATLANTIC OCEAN CITIES:
MIAMI
BOSTON (N.E.)
JACKSONVILLE
NEW YORK JETS
NEW YORK GIANTS
PACIFIC OCEAN CITIES:
SAN DIEGO
SAN FRANCISCO
LANDLOCKED CITIES:
DALLAS
DENVER
ATLANTA
PHOENIX
CHARLOTTE
INDIANAPOLIS
STATES--MORE THAN ONE TEAM:
FLORIDA
(3)
NEW YORK
(3)
CALIFORNIA
(3)
OHIO
(2)
TEXAS
(2)
MISSOURI
(2)
PENNSYLVANIA
(2)
BAY CITIES:
PENINSULA STATES
TAMPA ON TAMPA BAY
FLORIDA
MIAMI ON BISCAYNE BAY
MICHIGAN
SEATTLE ON ELLIOTT BAY
WASHINGTON
GREEN BAY ON GREEN BAY
DELMARVA formed by
SAN DIEGO ON SAN DIEGO BAY
Delaware, Maryland & Virginia
BALTIMORE ON CHESAPEAKE BAY
OAKLAND ON SAN FRANCISCO BAY
SAN FRANCISCO ON SAN FRANCISCO BAY
GREAT LAKE CITIES:
BUFFALO ON ERIE
CLEVELAND ON LAKE ERIE
CHICAGO ON LAKE MICHIGAN
PANHANDLE STATES
TEXAS
IDAHO
FLORIDA
OKLAHOMA
WEST VIRGINIA
Tw o - L et t er St a t e Ab b r e vi a t i o n s
Student Reference Information
Pigskin Geography®
Alabama
AL "Heart of Dixie"
Montana
MT "Treasure State"
Alaska
AK "Last Frontier"
Nebraska
NE "Cornhusker State"
Arizona
AZ "Grand Canyon State"
Nevada
NV "Silver State"
Arkansas
AR "Land of Opportunity"
New Hampshire
NH "Granite State"
California
CA "Golden State"
New Jersey
NJ "Garden State"
Colorado
CO "Centennial State"
New Mexico
NM "Land of Enchantment
Connecticut
CT "Constitution State"
New York
NY "Empire State"
Delaware
DE "First State"
North Carolina
NC "Tar Heel State"
Florida
FL "Sunshine State"
North Dakota
ND "Flickertail State"
Georgia
GA "Peach State"
Ohio
OH "Buckeye State"
Hawaii
HI "Aloha State"
Oklahoma
OK "Sooner State"
Idaho
ID "Gem State"
Oregon
OR "Beaver State"
Illinois
IL "Prairie State"
Pennsylvania
PA "Keystone State"
Indiana
IN "Hoosier State"
Rhode Island
RI "Little Rhody"
Iowa
IA "Hawkeye State"
South Carolina
SC "Palmetto State"
Kansas
KS "Sunflower State"
South Dakota
SD "Rushmore State"
Kentucky
KY "Bluegrass State"
Tennessee
TN "Volunteer State"
Louisiana
LA "Pelican State"
Texas
TX "Lone Star State"
Maine
ME "Pine Tree State"
Utah
UT "Beehive State"
Maryland
MD "Old Line State"
Vermont
VT “Green Mt. State”
Massachusetts
MA "Bay State"
Virginia
VA "Old Dominion State"
Michigan
MI "Wolverine State"
Washington
WA "Evergreen State"
Minnesota
MN "Gopher State"
West Virginia
WV "Mountain State"
Mississippi
MS "Magnolia State"
Wisconsin
WI "Badger State"
Missouri
MO "Show Me State"
Wyoming
WY "Equality State"
Population Table
THE WORLD ALMANAC 2010 - Page 618 - 619
Student Reference Information
Pigskin Geography®
CITIES
1. New York
2. Los Angeles
3. Chicago
4. Houston
5. Phoenix
6. Philadelphia
7. San Antonio
8. Dallas
9. San Diego
10. San Jose
11. Detroit
12. San Francisco
13. Jacksonville
14. Indianapolis
15. Columbus, OH
18. Charlotte
20. Baltimore
22. Boston
24. Denver
25. Seattle
26. Nashville
27. Washington, D.C.
33. Atlanta
39. Kansas City
41. Cleveland
43. Miami
44. Oakland
47. Minneapolis
52. St. Louis
53. Tampa
56. Cincinnati
59. New Orleans
60. Pittsburgh
69. Buffalo
??. Green Bay
8,363,710
3,833,995
2,853,114
2,242,193
1,567,924
1,447,395
1,351,305
1,279,910
1,279,329
948,279
912,062
808,976
807,815
798,382
747,755
687,456
636,919
609,023
598,707
598,541
596,462
591,833
537,958
451,572
433,748
413,201
404,155
382,605
354,361
340,882
333,336
311,853
310,037
270,919
101,025
METROPOLITAN AREAS
1. New York
19,006,798
2. Los Angeles
12,872,808
3. Chicago
9,569,624
4. Dallas
6,300,006
5. Philadelphia
5,838,471
6. Houston
5,728,143
7. Miami
5,414,772
8. Atlanta
5,376,285
9. Washington, D.C. 5,358,130
10. Boston
4,522,858
11. Detroit
4,425,110
12. Phoenix
4,281,899
13. San Francisco
4,274,531
14. Riverside, CA
4,115,871
15. Seattle
3,344,813
16. Minneapolis
3,229,878
17. San Diego
3,001,072
18. St. Louis
2,816,710
19. Tampa
2,733,761
20. Baltimore
2,667,117
21 Denver
2,506,626
22. Pittsburgh
2,351,192
23. Portland, OR
2,207,462
24. Cincinnati
2,155,137
25. Sacramento
2,109,832
26. Cleveland
2,088,291
27. Orlando
2,054,574
28. San Antonio
2,031,445
29. Kansas City
2,002,047
30. Las Vegas
1,865,746
31. San Jose
1,819,198
32. Columbus, OH
1,773,120
33. Indianapolis
1,715,459
34. Charlotte
1,701,799
35. Virginia Beach
1,658,292
Seating Capacity of Stadiums
National Football League-2010
Student Reference Information
Pigskin Geography®
University of Phoenix Stadium
Georgia Dome
M & T Bank Stadium
Ralph Wilson Stadium
Bank of America Stadium
Soldier Field
Paul Brown Stadium
Cleveland Browns Stadium
Cowboys Stadium
Invesco at Mile High Stadium
Ford Field
Lambeau Field
Reliant Stadium
Lucas Oil Stadium
Jacksonville Municipal Stadium
Arrowhead Stadium
Sun Life Stadium
Mall of America Field at the Metrodome
Gillette Stadium
Louisiana Superdome
New Meadowlands Stadium
New Meadowlands Stadium
Oakland Coliseum
Lincoln Financial Field
Heinz Field
Edward Jones Dome
Qualcomm Stadium
Candlestick Park
Qwest Field
Raymond James Stadium
LP Field
FedEx Field
Glendale, AZ
Atlanta, GA
Baltimore, MD
Orchard Park, NY
Charlotte, NC
Chicago, IL
Cincinnati, OH
Cleveland, OH
Arlington, TX
Denver, CO
Detroit, MI
Green Bay, WI
Houston, TX
Indianapolis, IN
Jacksonville, FL
Kansas City, MO
Miami, FL
Minneapolis, MN
Foxborough, MA
New Orleans, LA
E. Rutherford, NJ
E. Rutherford, NJ
Oakland, CA
Philadelphia, PA
Pittsburgh, PA
St. Louis, MO
San Diego, CA
San Francisco, CA
Seattle, WA
Tampa, FL
Nashville, TN
Washington, DC
Cardinals
Falcons
Ravens
Bills
Panthers
Bears
Bengals
Browns
Cowboys
Broncos
Lions
Packers
Texans
Colts
Jaguars
Chiefs
Dolphins
Vikings
Patriots
Saints
N.Y. Giants
N.Y. Jets
Raiders
Eagles
Steelers
Rams
Chargers
49ers
Seahawks
Buccaneers
Titans
Redskins
65,000
71,228
71,008
73,967
73,504
61,500
65,515
73,300
80,000
76,125
64,500
72,928
71,054
63,000
67,246
76,416
75,192
64,121
68,756
68,000
82,500
82,500
63,132
69,144
65,050
66,000
70,000
69,732
67,000
65,908
69,143
91,704
Pigskin Geography®
MAKE A COLORFUL BAR GRAPH
Round-off the attendance of your favorite team to the
nearest five hundred(500) and construct a vertical bar
graph for the 16 weeks "your team" plays. This bar graph
will be bright and colorful if you draw the bar each week
in the color of the opposition’s dominate team color.
For example, Pittsburgh's colors are black and gold,
Green Bay's are green and yellow, St. Louis’ are blue and
gold, etc.
For games played on September 12, 2010
Pigskin Geography®
1. Identify the state capitals in which a game will be played.
________________________, _________________________
2. Name the cities that will be visited by a team from a state capital.
______________________, _______________________, _______________________,
______________________
3. Which team will visit the nation’s capital for a game? _______________________
4. In which state will three games be played? _____________________
5. Determine the states in which two games will be played.
______________________, _______________________, _______________________
6. Identify the city located on the Mississippi River that will be visited by a team from a city also
located on the Mississippi River. _________________________
7. Beyond the 20! St. Cloud, MN, with the nickname of “Granite City”, is on the Mississippi River
north of Minneapolis. If the Vikings cruise to their game, in which state will they cruise past the
real Granite City? _________________
8. Identify the states the Denver Broncos will fly over en route to the city of their game.
________, ________, ________, ________, ________, ________, ________, ________
9. Beyond the 20 for 9-11. LET US NEVER FORGET!! United Airlines Flight 93 crashed near
Shanksville, PA, in Somerset County on 9-11-01. Which team will fly over Shanksville going to
their game? _______________________ www.honorflight93.org
10. Beyond the 20! William S. “O. Henry” Porter was born on September 11, 1862. The
Charlotte(CAR) Panthers will fly over the city in which “O. Henry” was born. Research, locate
and tell your literature teacher the name of this city. ____________________, _ _
11. Determine the Ohio River city in which a game will be played. ________________________
12. Identify the Missouri River city in which a game will be played. ________________________
13. Name the Great Lakes the Green Bay Packers will cross en route to the “City of Brotherly Love”.
Lake ________________________, Lake ________________________
14. Identify the city located on Lake Erie in which a game will be played. ________________________
Make sure you always have your Study Hint Sheet available for help.
15. Beyond the 20! A game will be played in the NFL city where Labor Day had its beginning.
This city is __________________________, _ _.
16. How did you celebrate Labor Day? Write a paragraph describing your weekend’s family activity.
For games played on September 19, 2010
Pigskin Geography®
1. In which state will three games be played? _____________________
2. Determine the state in which two games will be played. ______________________
3. Identify the state capitals in which a game will be played. ________________________ ,
________________________ , ________________________ , _________________________
4. Which of the above capitals will be visited by a team from a state capital? _____________________
5. Identify the state capitals the following teams will fly over or near en route to their game.
St. Louis Rams over
_______________________, _ _
Tampa Bay Buccaneers over
_______________________, _ _
New Orleans Saints near
_______________________, _ _
6. Name the team that will travel to a bordering state to engage their competition.
________________________
7. Ascending from Buffalo, the Bills will see Lake Erie. Identify the other Great Lakes the Bills will fly
over en route to their destination. Lake ____________________ , Lake ____________________
8. Beyond the 20! The city of Green Bay is located at the bottom of the _ _ _ _ Peninsula.
9. Michigan is a dual peninsula state surrounded by four Great Lakes. The Great Lakes are:
Lake _________________
Lake _________________
(Hint: Look at the back
Lake _________________
Lake _________________
of a Michigan quarter.)
10. Which team will make a transcontinental flight to play their game? ______________________
11. Identify the states the above team will fly over en route to the game. __________, __________,
__________, __________, __________, __________, __________, __________, __________
12. While in San Diego, the Jaguars could travel just a little south and visit the famous peninsula of
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ in the country of Mexico. With all the crime, maybe it’s infamous.
13. Determine the team that will “be marching” over the Grand Canyon going to their game.
_________________________
14. The peninsula San Francisco is located on is surrounded by the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Ocean,
the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Strait, and _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Bay.
15. Beyond the 20! The St. Louis Rams are going to the “Golden State”, and as they cross the Rockies
over Aspen, CO, they will see the ubiquitous quaking aspen trees in their ________________
(adjective--a color) splendor. Did King Midas come through?
16. Identify the mountain range the Pittsburgh Steelers will parallel going to “Music City”.
___________________________ Mountains
For games played on September 19, 2010
page 2 of Week #2
Pigskin Geography®
17. Beyond the 20 & American literature! The Kansas City Chiefs will fly near Fort Wayne, IN, where
a Johnny Appleseed Festival is going on. What was “Johnny Appleseed’s” real name?
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ In what way is “Johnny Appleseed” associated with Fort Wayne?
_____________________________________________________________________________
18. The “Cigar City” Buccaneers are traveling to the most prolific tobacco growing state in the nation.
Now you know the Buccaneers will be playing in the city of _______________________, _ _.
19. Beyond the 10! Morton, IL, is the “Pumpkin Capital of the World”, and a festival is going on this
weekend. Which team will fly over Morton going to their destination? ______________________
20. The Miami Dolphins are playing in the largest turkey producing state in the nation. This is the State
of ___________________, and King Turkey Days are being held in the city of Worthington.
21. Beyond the 20! September 13-14, 1814, is the day Francis Scott Key wrote THE STARSPANGLED BANNER at Ft. McHenry. No game will be played in the NFL city where Ft.
McHenry is located, but this is the city of _____________________.
22. Beyond the 20 & American history! No game will be played in the city where President William
McKinley was assassinated. He was shot on September 6th, and died on September 14, 1901.
In which city was President McKinley shot? ________________________
23. Beyond the 30! The Ravens could study American history by re-enacting efforts to get from
Baltimore to Cincinnati and the Ohio River Valley. They would start on the 184.5 mile
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal west to _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , MD.
24. Beyond the 20 & American history! September 17, 1920, is the date on which the National
Football League was founded. In which city did this occur? _ _ _ _ _ _ , _ _ .
(Hint: The NFL Hall of Fame is here.)
25. Hurricane Watch—What was the name of the most recent hurricane? ___________ The 2010
forecast calls for 15 named storms. Eight will become hurricanes, and four of them will be
major. See storm names in: THE WORLD ALMANAC-2010, page 306.
26. Beyond the 10! The Chicago Bears will fly over Branson, MO, and a hilly region called the Interior
Uplands on the Missouri-Arkansas border that most people call the _ _ _ _ _ _. What kind of
music would you expect to hear in Branson? ________________ and ________________ music.
27. Class project. Over the period of the next 14 weeks, you and your classmates should
become deltiologists. What is a deltiologist? _______________________________
Write family members across the country and ask them to add to your collection with
a picture or something about a city and/or state from anywhere in the United States.
How many postcards can your class collect by Super Bowl time?
For games played on September 26, 2010
Pigskin Geography®
1. How many games will be played in the peninsula state of Florida? ________
2. A game will be played in Baltimore, and to the east, across the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Bay, is the
Delmarva Peninsula.
3. Which team will fly over the Delmarva Peninsula going to their game? ______________________
4. A game will be played in Boston(N.E.). What is the name of the well-known peninsula southeast of
Boston? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Peninsula.
5. Determine which teams will travel to a bordering state to play a game.
________________________ , ________________________ , _________________________
6. Identify the state capitals in which a game will be played.
________________________ , ________________________ , _________________________
7. Identify the state capitals the following teams will fly over or near en route to their game.
Nashville(TN) Titans near
__________________, _ _
Atlanta Falcons near
__________________, _ _
San Francisco 49ers near
__________________, _ _
Buffalo Bills over
__________________, _ _
Detroit Lions over
__________________, _ _ and __________________, _ _
Indianapolis Colts near
__________________, _ _
8. Beyond the 30 & American history! September 23, 1806 is the date Lewis & Clark returned to the
city near where the expedition began. Which host team might salute their feat at a half-time
observance? ____________________ www.campdubois.com
9. Name the river forming the border between Washington and Oregon. _________________ River.
Lewis & Clark traveled this river to observe the Pacific Ocean.
10. Beyond the 30! The Pacific Ocean was discovered by _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ on
September 25, 1513.
11. Autumnal equinox occurs on Wednesday, Sept. 22nd, at 11:09 P.M. EDT. See the weather page of
your newspaper and write the time of sunrise and sunset. Sunrise __:__ Sunset __:__
12. Beyond the 30! On Thursday, September 23rd, you will observe a full moon. What is the name of
this full moon? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Moon
13. Beyond the 10! Two competing teams have team names that make you think it may be a good
idea to have a farrier standing by in case they would be needed. These teams are
_____________________ vs. ___________________.
14. Sequoia / Kings Canyon National Park was established on September 25, 1890. Name the team
that will fly over the park en route to their game? _________________________
For games played on October 3, 2010
Pigskin Geography®
1. Determine the states in which two games will be played.
________________________ , ________________________ , _________________________
2. Determine which teams will travel to a bordering state to play a game.
________________________ , ________________________ , _________________________
3. Identify the cities that will be visited by a team from within their own state.
________________________ , ________________________
4. Ascertain the team from a state capital that will visit a state capital for a game. _________________
5. Name the cities located on the Mississippi River in which a game will be played.
________________________ , ________________________
6. Yosemite National Park was established on October 1, 1890. Identify the team that will fly over
Yosemite en route to their game. ________________________ www.nps.gov/yose
7. Over what city will the above team be when they cross the Mississippi River? ______________. _ _
8. Name the states the 49ers will fly over going to the “Land of Tara”. _______, _______, _______,
_______, _______, _______, _______, _______, _______, _______, _______
9. Determine the intermediate direction the following teams will fly to reach their destination.
Boston(N.E.)
Indianapolis
= _____
= _____
Cincinnati
Houston
= _____
= _____
10. Beyond the 10! Which team could cruise to their game site on the Erie Canal and reenact the
completion of the canal? _____________________ www.eriecanalmuseum.org
11. Beyond the 10 with help from the produce man at your grocery store!
The Indianapolis Colts will fly over Vidalia in southeastern Georgia. What well known herbvegetable comes from this area of Georgia? ___________________ Don’t cry now!!!!
For games played on October 3, 2010
page 2 of Week #4
Pigskin Geography®
12. Beyond the 30! The Detroit Lions could cruise to their game by sailing north on the _ _ _ _ _ _ _
River, across Lake _ _. _ _ _ _ _, up the _ _. _ _ _ _ _ River, across Lake _ _ _ _ _, through the
Straits of _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, across the north end of Lake _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, around the tip of the Door
Peninsula, and south into _ _ _ _ _ Bay.
13. “Lettuce” do some research. En route to their game, the Phoenix(AZ) Cardinals will fly over the
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ Desert of Arizona, south of the Salton Sea, and across the fertile _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Valley.
14. The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta begins this weekend. It is called the most photographed event in
the world. Which team will fly over New Mexico and might take a detour to Albuquerque for a few
snapshots? _______________________
www.balloonfiesta.com
Do any of you students own Kodak stock?
15. Which team will fly over the Outer Banks of North Carolina and Cape Hatteras en route to their
game? ____________________
16. Beyond the 20 & south by south! Locate Three Forks, MT,(on I-90, south of Helena). As the
Seattle Seahawks charge off to St. Louis, they will be south of the source of which great U.S.
river? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ River. And about 1,200 miles later, they will be just south of the mouth of
that same great river. The confluence of this river with the Mississippi River is near St. Louis.
17. Beyond the 30! September 27, is the birthday of newspaperman Thomas Nast. If you were looking
in the newspaper to find works of Mr. Nast, on what page of the newspaper would you be
looking? _______________________________
NATIONAL NEWSPAPER WEEK
October 3 - 10, 2010
For games played on October 10, 2010
Pigskin Geography®
1. Determine the states in which two games will be played. ________________________ ,
________________________ , ________________________ , _________________________
2. Identify the cities located on Lake Erie in which a game will be played.
________________________ , ________________________
3. Name the state capital the Jacksonville Jaguars will fly over going to their game.
________________________ , _ _
4. Name the state capital the Denver Broncos will zip over en route to their destination.
________________________ , _ _
5. The U. S. Naval Academy was founded on October 10, 1845. The Broncos might visit the Naval
Academy which in located in _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , _ _ . The U. S. Air Force Academy is located in
the Broncos’ home state. The AF Academy is located in _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _. CO.
6. The New Orleans Saints could drive to the “Valley of the Sun” on I - _ _.
7. The Kansas City Chiefs could boogie on over to “Circle City” on I - _ _.
8. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could drive to the “Queen City of the West” on I - _ _.
9. Beyond the 10! Locate the Cumberland Gap on the KY-TN-VA border. Identify the team that will fly
over this site en route to their game. _______________________________ www.nps.gov/cuga
10. Beyond the 20! October 9th, is Leif Erikson Day. Which NFL team do you think is most likely to
commemorate Leif Erikson Day? ______________________________________
11. Does your newspaper carry a comic strip about someone that would have sailed with Leif Erikson?
If so, name the comic strip. _ _ _ _ _ the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
12. Beyond the 20! En route to their game, the San Diego Chargers will fly parallel to the
San _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Fault and the fertile San _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Valley.
13. Beyond the 30! En route to their game, the Dallas Cowboys will soar over Crater of Diamonds
State Park in Murfreesboro, AR. What could you do here that’s unique? ___________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
www.craterofdiamondsstatepark.com
14. Beyond the 20! October 4th, is the birthday of artist and sculptor Frederic S. Remington. Name at
least four NFL team names that might have been the subject of Remington’s work.
__________________, __________________, ___________________, ___________________
15. Beyond the 30! October 4th, is the birthday of newspaperman and author Damon Runyan. If you
were reading columns by Runyan early in his career, which section of the newspaper would you
be reading? _________________________
For games played on October 17, 2010
Pigskin Geography®
1- Identify the states in which two games will be played. __________________, _________________
2- Which team will travel to a bordering state to engage the competition? _______________________
3- Determine the cardinal direction the Kansas City Chiefs will fly to play their game. _____________
4. Beyond the 30! The NY Jets will traverse the states that are the heart of the nation’s Corn Belt.
These states are:
______________, ______________, ______________, ______________, _______________
Someone want to do a term paper or lengthy report on ethanol?
5- What is the capital of the state of Ohio? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , _ _ . www.santamaria.org
6. If driving, identify the Interstate highway the Dallas Cowboys would take to get to the city of their
game. I - _ _ This route will go through the state capitals of ________________ ________, _ _;
and _______ _____________ , _ _ .
7. Beyond the 10! The Miami Dolphins will fly over Knoxville, TN, and be near the confluence of
the Holston and French Broad rivers which is the source of the ___________________________
River. See: www.americasroof.com/river.shtml
8. Beyond the 30! October 10th, is the anniversary of the United States Naval Academy being
established in 1845. Teams are competing from cities where historic warships are located.
The USS Constellation is located in _____________________ , _ _ .
The USS Constitution is located in _____________________ , _ _ .
9- Identify the states the Seattle Seahawks will fly over en route to the “Windy City”.
________, ________, ________, ________, ________, ________, ________, ________
10. Name the sea in southern California the San Diego Chargers will fly over going to their game.
_ _ _ _ _ _ Sea.
A “sweet tooth” might make them stop at the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Mountains just east of this sea.
11. En route to Green Bay, the Miami Dolphins will fly out over the E _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and over
Lake O _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (which supplies the water) before seeing the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Swamp on the S.E. corner of Georgia. www.nps.gov/ever
The E _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ is also called the “_ _ _ _ _ of _ _ _ _ _”.
12. Name the mountain range the Atlanta Falcons will fly parallel to en route to their game.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Mountains.
13. Beyond the 30! The Falcons could return to Atlanta by hiking along the eastern Continental Divide
by traversing the Appalachian Trail. The “AT” runs through 14 states from ______________
Mountain, GA, to Mount _______________, ME. Many websites on the Appalachian Trail.
For games played on October 24, 2010
Pigskin Geography®
1- Which team will make a transcontinental flight to play their game? __________________________
2- Name the large lake on the north side of New Orleans the Cleveland Browns will fly over as they
descend into the “Big Easy”. Lake _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
3- The Cincinnati Bengals could travel to their game destination on I - _ _ .
4. Beyond the 10! The Boston(N.E.) Patriots will fly over the mountains in southeastern New York
where “Rip Van Winkle” ripped off a few ZZZZs. These mountains are the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Mts.
5. Beyond the 30 & American history! “There’s gold in them thar hills.” The team from the state that
had the “Mother Lode” and was the leading gold producer after 1849 will travel to the state that
was the leading gold producer before 1849.
This will have the ________________________ going to play the ________________________.
6. What team will fly over the Royal Gorge near Canon City, Colorado, en route to their game?
___________________________ www.royalgorgebridge.com
Which river carved the Royal Gorge? ___________________ River
7. Beyond the 10! What is unique about the suspension bridge crossing the Royal Gorge?
_____________________________________________________________________________
8. Going to Green Bay, the Minneapolis(MN) Vikings will fly over Eau Claire, WI, where they have a
Paul Bunyan Logging Camp. List some things Paul Bunyan “did” in his life.
1. ___________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________________
9. Beyond the 20! For students in Minn. and Wis., on Saturday, October 9th, the U. of Minnesota and
continued
For games played on October 24, 2010
page 2 of Week #7
Pigskin Geography®
U. of Wisconsin played for possession of Paul Bunyan’s axe. Who won that game?
University of ______________________ won the game.
10. Beyond the 10! According to the 2000 census, Edgar Springs, MO(south of Rolla) is the population
center of the United States. Which team will fly near Edgar Springs going to their game?
________________________
11. Beyond the 10! If any of the NY Giants were a spelunker, what is the Kentucky cave system
national park they will fly over and might want to visit returning from the game?
_________________________ What is unique about this system? _______________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
12- Identify the landlocked cities in which a game will be played.
________________________ , ________________________ , ________________________
13- Which of the landlocked cites are state capitals? ___________________ , ___________________
14- Identify the states the San Francisco 49ers will cross en route to the “Queen City”. ________,
________, ________, ________, ________, ________, ________, ________, _________
15. The 49ers will fly near the southern tip of Illinois. This is at Cairo, IL, which is located at the
confluence of the _______________________ and __________ rivers.
16. The 49ers have a long flight. Over what state will they be when they cross the Sierra Nevada Mts.?
_____________________ When they cross the Rocky Mts.? ____________________ When
they cross the Appalachian Mountains? ________________________
17. Beyond the 20! The Boston(N.E.) Patriots will fly over Toledo, OH. Toledo was once known as the
“_ _ _ _ _ Capital of the World”. The University of Toledo football team plays in the Glass Bowl.
18- New York City is the most populous city in the United States. How many more people are in NYC
than Dallas? _ , _ _ _ , _ _ _ - _ , _ _ _ , _ _ _ = _ , _ _ _ , _ _ _
19- Atlanta is how much larger than Cincinnati? _ _ _ , _ _ _ - _ _ _ , _ _ _ = _ _ _ , _ _ _
20- Minneapolis is how much larger than Green Bay? _ _ _ , _ _ _ - _ _ _ , _ _ _ = _ _ _ , _ _ _
21. Few people think about West Virginia having an eastern and a northern panhandle. Which team
will fly over both panhandles en route to their game? ____________________________
For games played on October 31, 2010
Pigskin Geography®
1- In which state will three games be played? _____________________
2- Determine the state in which two games will be played. ______________________
3- Name the Great Lakes the Green Bay Packers will view en route to the “Big Apple”.
Lake _________________, Lake _________________, Lake _________________
4- Name the Great Lakes the Minneapolis(MN) Vikings will view en route to the “Beantown”.
Lake _________________, Lake _________________, Lake _________________
5- How is Lake Michigan different from the other four Great Lakes? ___________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
6- Identify the physical feature and tourist attraction between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario the Buffalo
Bills will see ascending from their airport. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
7. Beyond the 20! When ships are sailing between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, how do they get
around the falls? _______________________________________________________________
8. Beyond the 30 & American history! The team from the area of the “59ers” will be visiting the area
of the “49ers”. This has the ______________________ visiting the ______________________.
9. American history! The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886.
Which visiting team might like to go see “Lady Liberty”? ________________________________
10. Beyond the 20! The Nashville(TN) Titans will cross the southeast corner of Missouri that has an odd
shape. What is this area called? “The _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _”
11. Beyond the 30! New Madrid, MO, is located in the area mentioned above. What natural event
of historic and prodigious proportion occurred here on December 6, 1811? _________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
12. Beyond the 10! The Seattle Seahawks will fly over Crater Lake in southern Oregon en route to
Oakland. What is unique about Crater Lake? _________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Look at the back of the 2005 quarter for the state of Oregon. www.nps.gov/crla
13. Crater Lake is a depression in a volcano that known as a c _ _ _ _ _ _ .
14. The Houston Texans will wing their way over Metropolis, IL, en route to the “Circle City”. Why do
you think Metropolis is called “Superman City”? ______________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
For games played on November 7, 2010
Pigskin Geography®
1- Determine the state in which two games will be played. ______________________
2- Identify the city located on the Ohio River that will be visited by a team from a city located on the
same river. _________________________
3- Name the teams that will travel to a bordering state to engage the competition.
_________________________ , _________________________
4- Ascertain the team that could travel to their game on I-75. _________________________
5- Identify two other cities located on I-75 in which a game will be played.
_________________________ , _________________________
6- Identify the state capitals the following teams will fly over or near en route to their game.
NY Giants near
__________________, _ _
New Orleans Saints near
__________________, _ _
San Diego Chargers over
__________________, _ _
Dallas Cowboys over
__________________, _ _
Indianapolis Colts over
__________________, _ _
7. Beyond the 20! “Y” do you ask? The Colts and Steelers will fly over Zanesville, OH, to see
something unique. What is it? _________________________________________ www.coz.org
8- Identify the states the NY Giants will cross going to the “Emerald City”. _________, _________,
_________, Ontario, Canada; _________, _________, _________, _________, _________,
_________, _________
9. Beyond the 20! The Giants will fly over Spokane, WA, which is in the rain shadow of the Cascade
Range and receives 16.67 inches of rainfall a year as compared to 37.07 in Seattle. Explain rain
shadow. ______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
10. Beyond the 10! The source of the Mississippi River is in Minnesota at Lake _ _ _ _ _ _ .
11. Beyond the 20! The Kansas City Chiefs will fly over Leadville, CO, in Lake County, which is near
the source of what great river? __________________ River
12. Beyond the 20! Do a web search or research and tell how Leadville is unique among cities in the
United States. _________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
13. Beyond the 30! The Chicago Bears could cruise to their game by going north on Lake
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, through the Straits of _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, across Lake _ _ _ _ _, down the
_ _. _ _ _ _ _ River, across Lake _ _. _ _ _ _ _, south on the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ River, then across
Lake _ _ _ _ to enjoy some delicious wings at the Anchor Bar.
continued
For games played on November 7, 2010
page 2 of Week #9
Pigskin Geography®
14. On November 1, 1884, an international conference established the prime meridian( zero degrees)
in Greenwich, England. Identify the cities on the line of 40 degrees N. latitude that will have
teams playing each other. ________________________ vs. ________________________
15. Specify the city located on the line of 112 degrees W. longitude whose team will visit a city on the
line of 45 degrees N. latitude for their game. ________________________
16. Determine the team from a city on the line of 90 degrees W. longitude that will travel to a city located
near the line of 35 degrees N. latitude. __________________________
17. The game will begin at 1:05 in Seattle. What time will it be in the “Big Apple”? ____________
18. The game will begin at 1:00 in Buffalo. What time will it be in the “Windy City”? ___________
19. Identify the team from a city on a bay that will visit a city also located on a bay.
________________________
20. Beyond the 30! The above team will fly over the only area in the United States where the Venus
Flytrap grows as a native plant. This area is in the state of ________________________ .
21. Beyond the 20! The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will soar over Crystal River, FL, en route to their game.
What sea mammal serves as a tourist attraction in this area of Florida? The _ _ _ _ _ _ _
22. En route to their game, determine which team will fly over the Imperial Valley of California, the
Sonoran Desert of Arizona and the Chihuahuan Desert of Texas. _______________________
23. Beyond the 10 & Creative writing! Tuesday, November 2nd is “Plan Your Epitaph Day”. A game
will be played in the city where comedian W.C. Fields’ epitaph said he wanted to be. “On the
whole, I’d rather be in _____________________.”
Have some fun and write your own funny epitaph. See: www.hardiehouse.org/epitaph
24. Beyond the 20! You are to be the horologist at your house on Saturday night. What must you do?
_____________________________________________________________________________
25. Boys, be very careful. Saturday is Sadie Hawkins Day. Does your newspaper carry a daily comic
strip showing life as Sadie and her family would have lived it? If so, the name of this strip is
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ www.kingfeatures.com/features/comics/comics.htm
Latitude and Longitude Exercise
Determine the approximate degree of latitude
north and longitude west for these NFL cities.
Pigskin Geography
Atlanta
LATITUDE
__________________
LONGITUDE
__________________
Baltimore
__________________
__________________
Boston(N.E.)
__________________
__________________
Buffalo
__________________
__________________
Charlotte(CAR)
__________________
__________________
Chicago
__________________
__________________
Cincinnati
__________________
__________________
Cleveland
__________________
__________________
Dallas
__________________
__________________
Denver
__________________
__________________
Detroit
__________________
__________________
Green Bay
__________________
__________________
Houston
__________________
__________________
Indianapolis
__________________
__________________
Jacksonville
__________________
__________________
Kansas City
__________________
__________________
Lynchburg
__________________
__________________
Miami
__________________
__________________
Minneapolis(MN)
__________________
__________________
Nashville(TN)
__________________
__________________
New Orleans
__________________
__________________
New York
__________________
__________________
Oakland
__________________
__________________
Philadelphia
__________________
__________________
Phoenix(AZ)
__________________
__________________
Pittsburgh
__________________
__________________
St. Louis
__________________
__________________
San Diego
__________________
__________________
San Francisco
__________________
__________________
Seattle
__________________
__________________
Tampa
__________________
__________________
Washington
__________________
__________________
For games played on November 14, 2010
Pigskin Geography®
1- Specify the Great Lake cities in which a game will be played.
________________________ , ________________________ , ________________________
2. Beyond the 10! On Tuesday, November 9th, the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor will be
awarded in Washington, D.C. Read your newspaper or watch TV, who received this award?
__________ _______
3- Identify the state capital the Dallas Cowboys will fly near going to the game. _______________, _ _
What capital will the St. Louis Rams charge over? _______________, _ _
4- The Houston Texans could drive to their game on I - _ _ . This route would take them through the
state capitals of ____________ ___________ , _ _ and ___________________________, _ _
5. The Texans will observe some of the most beautiful beaches in the world while flying between the
panhandle cities of Pensacola and Panama City. What adjective would you use to describe the
color of the sand? _______________ For great beaches see: www.drbeach.org
6. Beyond the 10 & American history & literature! November 8th, is the birthday of Margaret
Mitchell who wrote “Gone With the Wind”. It would be appropriate for which host team to
commemorate her birthday? ________________________________
7. Beyond the 20! The Baltimore Ravens will fly over the Booker T. Washington National
Monument southeast of Roanoke, Virginia. Who was Booker T. Washington? _______________
_____________________________________________________________________________
8. Beyond the 40! You will recognize Veterans’ Day on Wednesday. Which host city is built around
Monument Circle which contains the Soldiers and Sailors Monument? ______________, _ _
Discuss what you have in your city that was built or placed to recognize this day.
9. If you were to become a little bit of a vexillologist for Veterans’ Day, what would you be doing?
_____________________________________________________________________________
10. Identify the team from a city locate near the line of 81 degrees W. longitude that will visit a city near
the line of 28 degrees N. latitude. ________________________
11. The game will begin at 2:05 in Denver. What time will it be in the city of the visiting team? ________
12. Locate the city near the line of 105 degrees W. longitude in which a game will be played. _________
13. Beyond the 20! The Holland Tunnel was completed on November 13, 1927. Robert Fulton was
born on November 14, 1765. Both these names can be associated with what river?
_ _ _ _ _ _ River. Name the steamboat Fulton first sailed on this river? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
14. Beyond the 40! If you have seen old western movies, you have seen the Butterfield Stagecoach
Line. Which competing teams represent the departure and destination cities of the Butterfield
Stage? __________________________ vs. ___________________________
For games played on November 21, 2010
Pigskin Geography®
1- Identify the state capital that will be visited by a team from a state capital. ____________________
2- What is the population difference of the above capitals? _ _ _, _ _ _ - _ _ _, _ _ _ = _ _ _, _ _ _
3- The game in New Orleans begins at 3:00. What time will it be in the “Emerald City”? _________
4- The game in San Francisco begins at 1:00. What time will in be in “Cigar City”? _________
5- Identify the state capitals the following teams will fly over or near en route to their game.
Seattle Seahawks over
_______________________, _ _
Tampa Bay Buccaneers over
_______________________, _ _
NY Giants over
_______________________, _ _
Cleveland Browns
_______________________, _ _
Green Bay Packers
_______________________, _ _
6. Beyond the 10 & trivia! In the above question you identified a state capital that had “City” as part
of its name. Determine the other state capitals that have “City” as part of their name.
__ __ __ __ __ __ City, __ __
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ City, __ __
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ City, __ __
7. Beyond the 20! The Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills will fly near Akron, Ohio, which is
“The _ _ _ _ _ _ Capital of the World”. Most boys and many girls would like to participate in the
annual _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Derby that is held in Akron each July. www.aasbd.org
8. The Seattle Seahawks will fly over Hells Canyon on the Oregon-Idaho border. Name the river that
carved Hells Canyon. _ _ _ _ _ River. Research and on a separate sheet of paper, tell your
teacher something interesting about this canyon.
9. En route to their game, the Oakland Raiders will fly directly over where the lines of 39 degrees N.
latitude and 117 degrees W. longitude intersect. At this point, they will be in the middle of what
state? ________________
10. Beyond the 30! The Sunday night game will be played under a full moon. What is the name of this
full moon? __________________ Moon.
11. Beyond the 20 & American history! The Baltimore Ravens will fly over Appomattox, Virginia.
What role did Appomattox Court House play in the Civil War? _________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
12. Beyond the 40! Games will be played Sunday in New England, New York and New Orleans. A new
name in a new country, but reflecting their old heritage. New England reflects its _ _ _ _ _ _ _
heritage. New York reflects its_ _ _ _ _ _ _ heritage. New Orleans reflects its _ _ _ _ _ _
heritage. New York was first named New _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , and that name reflected its _ _ _ _ _
heritage.
continued
For games played on November 21, 2010
page 2 of Week #11
Pigskin Geography®
13. Beyond the 20 & American history! President Abraham Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg Address
on November 19, 1863. Which host team close to Gettysburg might commemorate this famous
speech? ______________________________
14. En route to their game, the Chicago Bears will soar over the city where the Kentucky Derby is run.
This city is _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , KY
15. Beyond the 20! Let’s go sightseeing. Match the cities with their landmarks.
A. Boston
B. Nashville
C. New Orleans
D. New York
E. Saint Louis
F. San Francisco
___ Empire State Building
___ Gateway Arch
___ Golden Gate Bridge
___ Old North Church
___ Parthenon
___ Vieux Carre’ or French Quarter
For games played on November 28, 2010
Pigskin Geography®
1- Determine in which state three games will be played this week. ________________
2- In which state will two games be played? _____________
3- Identify the teams that will travel to a bordering state to engage the competition.
______________________ , ______________________ , ______________________
4- The flight route of the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles will intersect over the same state
capital. Identify this state capital. ____________________ , _ _
5. Beyond the 10 & American history! A game will be played in the city where President John F.
Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963. This city is ________________, _ _
6- Number these rivers in the order they will be crossed by the San Diego Chargers.
___ Arkansas, ___ Colorado ___ Illinois, ___ Mississippi, ___ Missouri, ___ Rio Grande
7- Identify the team that will visit the nation’s capital for a game. ______________________
8. Determine which state capitals the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will fly over or near en route to their
game. ______________________, _ _;
______________________, _ _
9. Beyond the 30! Both capitals the Buccaneers will fly near are “Fall Line” cities. What is a fall line?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
10. Name the city located on the line of 39 degrees N. latitude that will be visited by a team from a city
located on the line of 45 degrees N. latitude. _________________________
11. Beyond the 40! The San Francisco 49ers will witness a unique geographic phenomenon as they
fly southeast over Mt. Whitney and Death Valley to the east, only 80 miles apart. Tell your
teacher what is unique and different about the two. Go to www.nps.gov and search for Sequoia
and Kings Canyon National Park. www.nps.gov/deva
Mt. Whitney is _________________________________________________________________
Death Valley is _________________________________________________________________
12. The 49ers will see some giant trees growing on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada
Mountains. These huge trees are _ _ _ _ _ _ _ trees. Go to www.nps.gov Search for General
Sherman. www.discovertheforest.org
Tell your teacher about the General Sherman. _______________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
13. Review the synonyms for latitude and longitude and answer this question about the host city of
Indianapolis. The major street that runs through the center of Indianapolis is Meridian Street.
Do you think Meridian St. runs north & south or east & west? Does it measure distance north &
south or east & west from the center of Indianapolis? Circle your answers.
For games played on December 5, 2010
Pigskin Geography®
1- Identify the teams that will travel to a bordering state to engage the competition.
______________________ , ______________________ , ______________________
2. Beyond the 30 & American history! Which one of the above teams will cross the Mason-Dixon
Line to get to the game site? __________________________
It is not a linguistic line dividing people who say “y’all” from those that say “youse guys”
3- Ascertain the state capitals in which a game will be played. ______________________ ,
______________________ , ______________________ , ______________________
4. Beyond the 20 and American literature! Louisa May Alcott was born on November 29, 1832.
Which hometown team might honor her birth by giving away “Little Women” books to all the
young females in attendance? ________________________
5. If the Chicago Bears were to drive to their game on I-_ _, they might stop for breakfast in Battle
Creek, MI, often called “Cereal City." Name the kind of grain from which your favorite breakfast
cereals are made.
______________, ______________, ______________, ______________, ______________
6- Name the city that will be visited by a team from within its own state. _____________________
7. Locate the Cumberland Gap on the KY-TN-VA border. Identify the team that will fly over this site en
route to their game. ________________________________
www.nps.gov/cuga
8. Beyond the 40 & American history! The Charlotte(CAR) Panthers could stop in the Black Hills
and visit Mt. Rushmore. Name the presidents shown on Mt. Rushmore. Use first initial and full
last name.
__. _______________; __. _______________; __. _______________; __. _______________
Research and discuss the particular reason these presidents were chosen.
9. Beyond the 10! The Panthers will fly just north of Three Forks, MT. Three Forks is the source of
which great U.S. river? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ River.
10. November 30th is the birthday of Samuel L. Clemens, A.K.A. “Mark Twain”. In which river city is a
game being played this week where it would be appropriate to recognize his birthday?
________________________
11. Beyond the 30! One of “Mark Twain’s” stories is “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras
County”. Which team will fly over or near Calaveras County going to their game?
________________________
12. Beyond the 20! Upon their return, what unique building could the 49ers stop and visit in Mitchell,
SD? The _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
13. Beyond the 40! Draw a rectangular box by extending a line from Boston to Minneapolis to St. Louis
to Baltimore. This is the Rust Belt of the United States. How many games will be played within
the Rust Belt this week? _________
For games played on December 12, 2010
Pigskin Geography®
1- Determine the state capitals that will be visited by a team from a state capital.
______________________ , ______________________
2- Name the cities that will be visited by a team from a bordering state. ______________________ ,
______________________ , ______________________ , ______________________
3- Which team from a city located on a Great Lake will be visiting a city located on the same Great
Lake? ______________________
4- Identify the city located on an ocean that will be visited by a team from a city located on the same
ocean. ______________________
5- Beyond the 10! Identify the city located on the Mississippi River that will be visited by a team from
a city on the same river _______________________ These competing teams are from cities that
share a rich heritage from the same European country. These cities have a _ _ _ _ _ _ heritage.
6. 5 + 5 = 10! Name the five states that have all or part of their eastern border(west side of the river)
formed by the Mississippi River. ________, ________, ________, ________, ________
Name the five states that have all or part of their western border(east side of the river) formed by
the Mississippi River. ________, ________, ________, ________, ________
7. Beyond the 20! If the St. Louis Rams cruised to their game, they would sail past Chester, IL.
December 8th, is the birthday of Elzie Crisler Segar who was born in Chester. What well known
comic strip character did Mr. Segar create? _ _ _ _ _ _ A statue of this character is in Chester.
8. Beyond the 20! If sailing to their game, about 50 miles south of St. Louis the Rams would pass
Ste. Genevieve, MO. What distinction does Ste. Genevieve hold among cities in America?
_____________________________________________________________________________
9- If the Rams were to drive to their game they could drive almost all the way to their destination on
Interstate _ _ . This Interstate would take them through the “Bootheel” of Missouri.
10. Beyond the 30! New Madrid, MO, is located in the “Bootheel” of Missouri. What natural event
of historic and prodigious proportion occurred here on December 6, 1811? _________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
11- Identify the team from a city located on the Ohio River that will visit a city on the same river.
_______________________
12. The Ohio River forms a natural boundary between five states. These states are:
_____________, _____________, _____________, _____________, _____________
13. Beyond the 30! A game between two of the competing teams from bordering states might well be
called the “Kudzu Klash”. The game between which teams would deserve this title?
_______________________ vs. _________________________
continued
For games played on December 12, 2010
page 2 of Week #14
Pigskin Geography®
14. Both of the above cities are Piedmont cities. Piedmont by definition means
_ _ _ _ of the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
15. Beyond the 20! If you purchased a new house and wanted new carpet and new furniture,
you would probably get these items from the states of which two competing teams?
_____________________ vs. ______________________
Hint: It might be good to call a local furniture store for the answer.
16. Beyond the 10 and American history! Determine the team from near where the Santa Fe Trail
began that will fly parallel to the historic trail to reach the city of their game.
__________________________
www.santacaligon.com
17. Beyond the 10! The Seattle Seahawks will fly over Crater Lake in southern Oregon en route to
San Francisco. What is unique about Crater Lake? ____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
www.nps.gov/crla
18. As the Seahawks are en route to San Francisco, over northern California, they will look to the west
and see some huge trees near the coast. They are looking at the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Empire.
19. Beyond the 40! The Seahawks will fly over the Cascade Range en route to their game. Match the
six mountains with their correct heights. See: THE WORLD ALMANAC-2010, page 692
1. Mt. Adams
2. Mt. Hood
3. Lassen Peak
4. Mt. Rainier
5. Mt. St. Helens
6. Mt. Shasta
_____ 8,366
_____ 10,457
_____ 11,239
_____ 12,277
_____ 14,162
_____ 14,410
20. Beyond the 20! Competitors on Sunday are from the leading orange producing states in the
United States. These states are ____________________ and ____________________.
Most of the oranges from the state of ____________________ are squeezed for juice.
Most of the oranges from the state of ____________________ are used as table fruit.
21. Beyond the 40 & American literature! Games are played in Mississippi River cities this week.
Which city is in the “Land of Hiawatha”?
_________________________
Which city is in “Evangeline Country”?
_________________________
22. The Oakland Raiders will fly over the coordinates of 37 degrees N. latitude and 109 degrees W.
longitude. The Raiders will be over what well known site in the United States when they cross
these coordinates?
________ _______________
23. The Atlanta Falcons could drive to their game on I - _ _.
For games played on December 19, 2010
Pigskin Geography®
1- Name the Ohio River cities in which a game will be played ________________, ________________
2. Pittsburgh is located at the source of the Ohio River which is formed at the confluence of the
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ River and the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ River.
3- Identify the cities that will be visited by a team from within their own state.
________________________ , ________________________
4- The Kansas City Chiefs could drive to the “Gateway City” on I - _ _. This Interstate would take them
through the city of _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , MO, where the University of Missouri is located.
5- The Cleveland Browns could drive to the “Queen City of the West” on I - _ _. This Interstate would
take them through their capital city of _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
6. Beyond the 20! The New Orleans Saints will parallel the Appalachian Mts. and fly near Mt.
Mitchell in North Carolina going to their destination. What is unique about Mt. Mitchell?
_____________________________________________________________________________
7. Beyond the 20 and American history! December 17th, marks the anniversary of the Wright
Brothers first flight near Kitty Hawk, NC. What is the name of the sand dunes on the Outer
Banks where this flight occurred? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
8. Now, we know about the first flight, but is someone not aware of history? License plates in
North Carolina have the motto: “First in Flight”. License plates in Ohio have the motto:
“Birthplace of Aviation”. Can you explain how this could be?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
9- Identify the Great Lakes the Green Bay Packers will fly over en route to “Beantown”.
Lake ____________________ , Lake ____________________ , Lake ____________________
10. Beyond the 10 and American history! A famous Tea Party was held on December 16, 1773. In
which host city was this Tea Party held? _______________
11- Name the national park in the northwest corner of Wyoming the Atlanta Falcons will soar near
going to the “Emerald City”. _____________________ National Park
12- Number these river is the order the Falcons will cross them going to their game.
___ Mississippi, ___ Missouri, ___ Platte, ___ Tennessee, ___ Yellowstone
13- Over what state will the Falcons be when they cross the Appalachian Mts.? __________________
Rocky Mountains? ____________________ Cascade Range? ________________________
14. Beyond the 10! In math it’s called a reciprocal. In legalese it’s reciprocity. Which states have
teams reciprocating with each other? ____________________ and ____________________
continued
For games played on December 19, 2010
page 2 of Week #15
Pigskin Geography®
15. Locate the city of Charleston and Ft. Sumter in South Carolina. Which team will fly near this famous
fort going to their game? _______________________
16. Beyond the 10 & American history! The name Sumter is ubiquitous throughout South Carolina.
What historic event happened at Ft. Sumter on April 12, 1861? __________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
17. Beyond the 30 & American history! The Jacksonville Jaguars will fly over Oak Ridge, TN, going to
their game destination. What role did Oak Ridge play in ending World War II? _______________
_____________________________________________________________________________
18. Beyond the 20! En route to their game, the San Francisco 49ers will fly parallel to the
San _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Fault and the fertile San _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Valley.
19. Beyond the Goaline? This question may be only for the students in California. Match these cities
with the produce they are known to produce.
This website may help. www.cfaitc.org
1. Castroville
2. Fallbrook
3. Fresno
4. Gilroy
5. Indio
6. Lompoc
7. Napa Valley
8. Oxnard
9. Richvale
10. Sacramento
11. Salinas
12. Stockton
13. Tulare County
14. Tulelake
15. Ventura County
16. Watsonville
17. Yuba City
____ almonds & pears
____ artichokes
____ asparagus
____ avocados
____ dates
____ flowers
____ fruit & vegetable seeds
____ garlic
____ grapes
____ horseradish
____ lemon festival in September
____ “milk it for all it’s worth”
____ prunes
____ raisins
____ rice
____ spinach
____ strawberries
20. Determine the intermediate direction the following teams will fly to reach their destination.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Washington Redskins
= _____
= _____
New Orleans Saints
Green Bay Packers
= _____
= _____
21. Determine the cardinal direction the Detroit Lions will travel to get to their game.
____________
22. How many miles will the Houston Texans travel to play their game? __________ miles
For games played on December 26, 2010
Pigskin Geography®
1- In which state will three games be played? _____________________
2- Determine the states in which two games will be played.
______________________, _______________________, _______________________
3. Beyond the 20! If given the hint that the team from the state of the prickly pear cacti is playing in
the state with many saguaro cacti, who would be competing?
____________________ vs. ___________________
4. Beyond the 10 & American history! December 20, is the death anniversary of Sacagawea. A
game will be played in the city located on the largest river she helped Lewis & Clark explore.
This is the __________________ River.
5. Beyond the 20! The Nashville(TN) Titans could sail to their game by cruising up the
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ River to its confluence with the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ River then on to the
_ _ _ _ River. The Titans would then sail on to Cairo, IL, at the confluence with the
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ River then to the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ River just north of St. Louis and on to
Kansas City. Maybe there is some good BBQ waiting for them.
6. Beyond the 20! The team from the leading apple producing state in the nation will travel to the
leading orange producing state for their game.
This will have the ________________________ visiting the __________________________.
7. Beyond the 40! Now you know about apples and oranges. Match these states the Seahawks will
cross with their products.
_____ Arkansas
_____ Florida
_____ Idaho
_____ Kansas
_____ Mississippi
_____ Washington
_____ Wyoming
1. apples
2. citrus
3. catfish
4. coal
5. potatoes
6. rice
7. wheat
8. Beyond the 30 & American history! December 22nd, is the birthday of James Edward Oglethorpe.
Which host team might commemorate this birthday? ________________________
9. The Washington Redskins will fly near the site where Oglethorpe established an American colony
in 1733. This colonial site became what is now the city of _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
10. Beyond the 20! The Minneapolis(MN) Vikings will slip over Titusville, PA, going to their game.
What happened at Titusville in 1859? _______________________________________________
www.drakewell.org
11. Beyond the 10! Identify two brands of motor oil on the market today with names that indicate they
came from Pennsylvania.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _,
________
continued
For games played on December 26, 2010
page 2 of Week #16
Pigskin Geography®
12. The winter solstice occurs on December 21st, at 6:38 p.m. EST. This is the shortest day of the
year. Write the time of sunrise & sunset from the day’s newspaper you are using.
Sunrise is __:___ a.m. Sunset is __:___ p.m.
How many hours of daylight will you have this day? ____ hours and _____ minutes
13. Beyond the 40! The Federal Reserve System was founded December 23, 1913. The 12 cities
with Federal Reserve banks are all NFL cities except one. Name the one non-NFL city.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , _ _ Do you and your classmates have currency in your pockets to
represent each of the 12 districts? http://www.federalreserveeducation.org
Do you have money in your pocket that was printed in Ft. Worth, TX?
14. The Indianapolis Colts will cross the Great Plains and the Great Basin going to their game.
Because of violent spring thunderstorms spawning many “twisters” in the Great Plains, this
“Breadbasket of the Nation” is also called “_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _”.
15. Beyond the 20! Locate the Finger Lakes in western New York. Which team will fly over these
lakes en route to their game? _____________________ What made these lakes? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
16. Beyond the 30 & American history! You have probably seen the famous picture of General
George Washington crossing the Delaware on Christmas night in 1776. Which host team
might commemorate this event as the crossing was launched near their city?
____________________________
17. How many miles will the Boston(N.E.) Patriots travel in shuffling off to Buffalo? _______ miles
18. How many miles will the Houston Texans fly going to the “Mile High City”? _________ miles
19. If the game begins at 3:05 in St. Louis, what time will it be in the “City By the Bay”? _______
20. Determine which city located on the line of 39 degrees N. latitude that will be visited by a team from
a city near the line of 87 degrees W. longitude. _______________________, _ _
For games played on January 2, 2011
A Season in Review
Pigskin Geography®
1- Identify the team that will be visited by a team from within its own state. _____________________
2- Name the teams that will travel to a bordering state to play their game. ______________________,
________________________, ________________________, ________________________
3. Three of the above teams will cross a political boundary going to the neighboring state. One team
will cross a natural boundary. That one team is the _____________________________ .
4- Identify the state capitals the following teams will fly over or near en route to their game.
Minneapolis(MN) Vikings over
__________________, _ _
Dallas Cowboys over
__________________, _ _ and __________________, _ _
NY Giants over
__________________, _ _
Jacksonville Jaguars near
__________________, _ _
Oakland Raiders near
__________________, _ _
5- The Jacksonville Jaguars could drive to their game on I - _ _. The Charlotte(CAR) Panthers could
drive to their game on I - _ _. The Miami Dolphins could drive to their game on I - _ _.
The Nashville(TN) Titans could drive to their game on I - _ _.
6- How many teams will stay within their own time zone for their game this weekend? __________
7. Beyond the 20! Which home team might recognize that their city was the first to have an organized
branch of the YMCA formed on December 29, 1851? __________________________
8. Beyond the 10! The coach of which home team will probably discourage his players from partying
too much at the famous Mummer’s Parade on New Year’s Day. ________________________
9. Beyond the 10 & trivia! The San Diego Chargers are flying over Lake Havasu City in Arizona.
What famous bridge is located in Lake Havasu City? _ _ _ _ _ _ Bridge
10. The Oakland Raiders will fly over Aspen, CO, which is near the source of what major river in the
United States? _________________ River
11. Beyond the 30! Match these lakes with their coordinates
A. Flathead Lake
B. Lake Michigan
C. Lake Okeechobee
D. Lake Pontchartrain
E. Lake Tahoe
___ 27 degrees N. lat & 81 degrees W. long
___ 42 degrees N. lat & 87 degrees W. long
___ 30 degrees N. lat & 90 degrees W. long
___ 48 degrees N. lat & 114 degrees W. long
___ 39 degrees N. lat & 120 degrees W. long
12. Beyond the 30 & American history! The United States Congress officially recognized the Pledge
of Allegiance on December 28, 19 _ _ . Congress added the words “under God” in 19 _ _ , but
in 20 _ _, a federal appeals judge found the pledge unconstitutional for use in public schools due
to the “under God” phrase.
I hope you NIE students have enjoyed Pigskin Geography this NFL season!