Leaping Around the Field...

Shooting both teams can be both beneficial and a burden. So, when I shot the ACU game against Midwestern State, I had to shoot MSU for the Wichita Falls paper. Usually if I have to shoot both teams I will concentrate on the offenses. Meaning if there is a big defensive play or a big sack I'm usually going to be on the wrong side of the ball. It happens and there's just nothing you can do about it, you can be everywhere on the field, you just need to take your chances and hope something happens on the side of the ball your watching.

Well, luckily, during this game I seemed to be on the right side of the play a few times. It also helps that the Midwestern running back like to hurdle defenders... that's always nice. Add in a few nice plays by ACU including a really nice catch and I can leave after the game with a smile on my face instead of knowing what I missed.

I'm Coming Around on Volleyball

When I first started shooting volleyball, I thought it was one of the most difficult sports to shoot. And, while it is still not an easy sport to shoot, I am enjoying covering it a lot more. I guess covering Wylie, the number one Class 3A team in state helps. Though, the way they've just been mowing over the teams they've played so far has made it tough to get some really great stuff since the matches get done so quick. Hopefully now, with the playoffs starting some of the matches will be a little more exciting, and I'll have had enough practice to get decent shots.

HSU vs ETBU...

I find it kind of funny sometimes how I can spend a whole game shooting and the majority of my best photos come from just a couple minute period. The game between Hardin-Simmons and East Texas Baptist was just that. The game was kind of turning into a blowout and I was thinking of leaving at half time, however, it was homecoming and I needed to get a shot of the homecoming queen (that's a whole 'nother rant for another time).

So, I figured I'd stick around for the first few minutes of the third quarter to see how things played out. It really paid off, since my best photos all came from about a five minute stretch to start the second half. It also blew an already lopsided game even more wide open. By the fourth quarter the backups were in and they were pretty much just running out the clock... my queue to leave.

District Opener...

So, I'm a couple weeks behind again... These are from Wylie's district opener against Big Spring in Big Spring. Both teams were coming into the game undefeated and it was looking like there is a good chance this could end up being for the district title.

Wylie jumped on the board quickly returning an interception for a touchdown on the first play of the game. After that they looked like they were just going to run away with things, marching down the field on their offensive drives to a 21-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. But, then Big Spring made things interesting and made a game out of things. The game did get interesting for a while, but Wylie never let it get close enough to make anyone nervous and ended up winning the game 42-24. I know I've said it before, but I think this may be one of the best Wylie teams I've seen in a long time and they proved it against a very good Big Spring team.

Parading Prettily in Pink...

In case you haven't noticed, or having been living under a rock the last few years, October is breast cancer awareness month. So, for ArtWalk in Abilene this month there was a Pink Parade down Cypress Street in downtown. It was a fun little event led by the Hardin-Simmons Six White (Pink) Horses and had a nice festive feel to it.

Crosstown Showdown...

The Abilene High Cooper game always has potential to be one of the best football games of the year. However, it also has potential to be one of the worst. Last year's 62-6 beat down was the perfect example. As good as Abilene High had been playing and with Cooper already having one loss and a few close calls on the season I was thinking this game might be deja vu. That wasn't even close to the case.

Cooper came out ready to play and did a really great job of moving the ball, marching up the field and scoring on their first possession. The the Cougar defense shut down the AHS offense quickly. However, a forced three-and-out and then a blocked punt recovered in the end zone for an Eagle touchdown evened things up. The game was going back and forth and making for some really nice photos in the process. Cooper ended up scoring a touchdown to go ahead with just over two minutes left in the game and I was thinking that may be it.

Well, if Cooper's drive had lasted another 4 seconds I would have been right. However, Abilene High took the ball down the field with some really great passing and a few runs thrown in working the clock just right. Then a spectacular pass to running back Marcel Porter for a touchdown between a pair of defenders to win the game made for one hell of an ending. In covering 14 of these game this was certainly one of the best ones.

Football in a Monsoon...

Last week between Thursday and Sunday morning the Abilene area received a little over seven inches of rain. I'll add, that this rain was badly needed for the area lakes and agriculture. I just wish that it didn't have to happen on Friday night during football, as well as a few other really cool events that ended up getting cancelled in the process. But, it did and there's nothing I can do about it now.

So, the game I was covering was Cisco at Stamford. Now, when I'm covering games in the rain like this my number one priority is keeping my gear safe. Over the years, I've found the perfect set up for this is gaffers taping an umbrella to my monopod so, as long as the rain isn't coming down sideways on me the camera and lens stay well protected the whole game. My second camera I will usually put around my neck or on the front of my body to keep as dry as possible (that works ok, but not the best way). My camera bag (a Think Tank beltpack) is the easiest of all since Think Tank makes awesome equipment, the rain covers are built into the gear, I just pull out the covers and put them on and everything there is protected.

With all that done it was time to cover the game. And what a great game it turned out to be. The weather I'm sure played a lot into it staying so close and dictated keeping the ball on the ground. I figured this was going to play into Cisco's advantage, but somehow Stamford managed just enough passes to make things work out. Then, late in the first half, Stamford's all-state quarterback ended up hurting his throwing hand and the backup had to take over. I was afraid this game could get ugly real quick, however, after a little growing pains on the first two drives he settled in and brought the Bulldogs back and ended up throwing the game-winning touchdown pass, late in the fourth quarter. Cisco had a chance to drive down the field to win it, but the soggy weather and a couple nice plays by the Stamford defense sealed the game in a close one. Despite the nasty weather and me feeling like I'd just taken a shower when I finally got to my car to edit photos, it was a great game to watch.