Archive for the ‘sports’ Category
More sports, more action. November 15th, 2009
Lake Zurich 24, Wheaton North 17.
I actually volunteered for this. High school football on a Saturday night, on my day off. I know crazy. Lake Zurich’s Jacob Brinlee, 20 carries, 140 yards, 2 TD, busted off touchdown runs of 80 and 21 yards in the first half. The Bears were leading 24-3 with just over seven minutes remaining in the game and the Falcons almost came back. Kevin Gratys intercepted a pass by QB Reece Butler in the end zone with 2:28 remaining and that sealed it for the Bears. They advanced to host No. 1 Glenbard West next week. Good luck with that.
When you’re in a visual rut football can right the ship. You just stand there and photos come to you. Not a bad day at the office.
WHEATON 11/14/09 Lake Zurich's Zach Johnson (34) watches his team in the final minutes versus Wheaton North in the class 7A quarterfinal in Wheaton, Nov. 14, 2009. The Bears advance by beating the Falcons 24-17. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
WHEATON 11/14/09 Lake Zurich's Andy Belchschmidt (8) break up a pass in the end zone to Wheaton North's Hunter Thorson (89) late in the fourth quarter of the class 7A quarterfinal in Wheaton, Nov. 14, 2009. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
WHEATON11/14/09 Lake Zurich's Jacob Brinlee (5) gets his hand in the face of Wheaton North's Carson Rajcan (7) as Brinlee runs for an 80-yard touchdown in the class 7A quarterfinal in Wheaton, Nov. 14, 2009. Brinlee scored both touchdowns for the Bears and lead the Falcons 14-3 after the first half. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
WHEATON 11/14/09 Lake Zurich's Jacob Brinlee (5) gets hit by Wheaton North's Carson Rajcan (7) as Brinlee leaps to catch a pass in the class 7A quarterfinal in Wheaton, Nov. 14, 2009. Brinlee scored both touchdowns for the Bears and lead the Falcons 14-3 after the first half. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
WHEATON 11/14/09 Lake Zurich's fans celebrate with their team after defeating Wheaton North in the class 7A quarterfinal in Wheaton, Nov. 14, 2009. The Bears advance by beating the Falcons 24-17. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
Tags: football, Lake Zurich, sports, Wheaton North
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Any Given Saturday November 7th, 2009
24 hours, 3 games, 6 teams, 16.6 gigs of JPG’s, 4111 frames, 54 photos transmitted, 1 car battery almost died, 3 burritos.
“I *hate* sports.” I’ve been quoted saying that so many times. But really, I love sports and high school football in particular. Just in moderation. Let me refine that. I love playoff sports. Give me a poorly lit field with the smoke from the brat grill slowly creeping into your nose. Knowing for a lot of kids this moment will be a highlight of thier lives. Running to your car at halftime to send the first wave of photos back in the 15 min before the 2nd half kickoff. I love the cold, the rain, the mud, or sometimes snow. Those days like today that are 70 degrees in November. I love talking to those Chicago guys who know everything about the teams, the ones that go back and link to your photos on their message boards. I love when a moderately crappy marching band plays Soul Finger.
Everything that happens outside that rectangle is great, but it’s the game that gets me. Maybe because shooting sports is like a video game. You gotta be there and be ready to push that button. It’s Duck Hunt. I read the formation as they line up, looking for a clue just like a defender. Sometimes you follow the correct receiver, have him in focus right as the ball is hitting his hands. And sometimes a ref, player, parent, coach, or mascot decides to place themselves between you and the action. Then lots of times you blow it cause that’s what happens.
So today I drew Glenbard South vs. Vernon Hills and then rushed over for top ranked Maine South versus Leyden. Here’s a few of my favorites from inside that rectangle.
GLEN ELLYN11/7/09 Glenbard South's Tyler Benware (22)gets the ball knocked out of his arms by Vernon Hills' Joseph Morehead (24) after Benware intercepted a Cougar pass in the second round of IHSA Class 5A playoffs in Glen Ellyn Nov. 7, 2009. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
GLEN ELLYN11/7/09 Vernon Hills' Chris Anders (1) tackles Glenbard South's Trace Wanless in the endzone in the second round of IHSA Class 5A playoffs in Glen Ellyn Nov. 7, 2009. The Cougars are losing 33-8 atfter the first half. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
GLEN ELLYN11/7/09 Vernon Hills' Chris Anders (1) tries to get in front of Glenbard South's Connor Douglas (3) in the second round of IHSA Class 5A playoffs in Glen Ellyn Nov. 7, 2009. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
NORTHLAKE11/7/09 Maine South's quarterback Tyler Benez (18) throws a pass versus Leyden in the second round of IHSA Class 8A playoffs in Northlake Nov. 7, 2009. The Hawks advance to the third round with a 34-16 victory. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
NORTHLAKE11/7/09 Leyden's Angel Maldonado (3) outruns Maine South's Cody Fallico (31) for a touchdown in the second round of IHSA Class 8A playoffs in Northlake Nov. 7, 2009.(Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
NORTHLAKE11/7/09 Maine South's Kevin Maloney (5) can't keep Leyden's Adam Bielech (84) from catching a low pass in the second round of IHSA Class 8A playoffs in Northlake Nov. 7, 2009. The Hawks advanced to the third round by beating the Eagles 34-16. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
NORTHLAKE11/7/09 Leyden's Victor Fuentes (22) jumps to block a pass in the endzone intended for Maine South's Luke Mottley (15) in the second round of IHSA Class 8A playoffs in Northlake Nov. 7, 2009. The Hawks advanced to the third round by beating the Eagles 34-16. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
NORTHLAKE11/7/09 Maine South's quarterback Tyler Benez (18) gets tackled by Leyden's Jeff Casella (11) in the second round of IHSA Class 8A playoffs in Northlake Nov. 7, 2009. The Hawks advance to the third round with a 34-16 victory. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
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Friday night slights November 6th, 2009
Tonight was the first ever home playoff game for the Proviso West football team. Earlier that day Kyle Prater was honored with a pep assembly announcing he was selected to play in the US Army All-American Bowl. Prater will play next season at USC and tonight was his final game. I’ve only photographed him once this season and had to leave at the half to cover another game and they never threw the ball his way while I was there. It’s too bad Glenbrook South had to ransack them 44-6.
Prater’s last touchdown catch as a high school athlete was a 40-yard grab as he used one arm to out muscle Glenbrook South’s Alex Garvey a the other to catch the ball. It was beautiful. One of the things I love about high school sports is seeing moments that really matter to these kids before everything is about money and endorsements.
I also got to hang out with David Banks on the sidelines tonight. He’s a great photographer and really good sports shooter, and a good guy.
HILLSIDE11/6/09 Proviso West's Kyle Prater (21) fights off Glenbrook South's Alex Garvey (34) for a 40 yard touchdown at Proviso West High School in Hillside Nov. 6, 2009. The Titans lead the Panthers 24-6 after the first half. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
HILLSIDE11/6/09 Glenbrook South's quarterback Mike Pullano (3) celebrates after throwing for 5 touchdown passes versus Proviso West in Hillside Nov. 6, 2009. The Titans beat the Panthers 44-6.(Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
HILLSIDE11/6/09 Glenbrook South senior Jake Schmidt celebrates after the Titans beat Proviso West 44-6 in Hillside Nov. 6, 2009. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
Tags: football, Glenbrook South, Kyle Prater, playoffs, Proviso West
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