Les Schwab Bowl: North 32, South 14 Friday, June 26, 2009

Josh Garlington, a recent graduate of Century High School, attempts to catch a touchdown pass for the North squad June 20 in the first quarter of the Les Scwhab Bowl at Hillsboro Stadium. Danny Urness (no. 3) of Thurston broke up the play.

A few images from last week's Les Schwab Bowl, played in Hillsboro for the first time in the 62-year history of Oregon's high school all star football game. The North squad (Portland-area teams) dominated the game, winning 32-14.

This was the first time I've been to Hillsboro Stadium, which is easily seen from Highway 26 when you drive west from Portland (see the satellite view here). It's a pretty nice facility, with the field set up for one or two soccer fields, baseball, and softball, and a covered grandstand that will hold about 7,000 fans. However, there are so many lines on the turf that it's sometimes hard to know which ones you should be looking at.

[left] Jack Lomax handled most of the quarterback duties for North in the game. The Lake Oswego graduate threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more in the game, and was selected as the game's MVP.

I have to say that it's nice shooting football in the summertime. Most of the football I shoot is in the fall, and high school games normally start around 7 p.m.—just when the light is fading. Even though last weekend's game didn't start until 7:30 and the weather was mostly overcast, there was plenty of light through the first half to shoot high speed, low(er) ISO action, and it's amazing how well the auto-focus system works when it can actually see what it's doing!

[right] Tony Gonzalez runs for South in the first quarter. The McKay graduate, who will play at Western Oregon University in the fall, rushed for 33 yards in the game. [below, left] Matt Nylen holds onto the ball as he is tackled by John Grill after a catch in the first quarter. The recent graduate of Clackamas High School caught four passes for 29 yards in the North's 32-14 win.

Lake Oswego beats Jesuit, 32-28 Sunday, November 30, 2008

Micah Hatfield (no. 3) of Lake Oswego juggles the ball in the end zone in the third quarter of the 6A semifinal against Jesuit Nov. 28 at PGE Park in Portland. Hatfield made the catch to put the Lakers up 26-21.

Last Friday night, the top four 6A teams in the state squared off at Portland's PGE Park for a ticket to the championship game next weekend in Corvallis.

The OSAA couldn't have planned a better bill, with both contests being rematches between fierce rivals. And, with all four teams hailing from the Portland metro area (three from the powerful Metro League), the games drew about 12,000 fans to watch the action.

In the first game of the night (which I didn't photograph), Southridge avenged one of their two regular-season losses by beating Beaverton 44-14. Their only other loss this year was to Jesuit, who ended up in the other semifinal against Lake Oswego.

Going into Friday night's game, the Lakers were undefeated and had been ranked top in the state all year long. Jesuit's only loss was a 36-33 defeat at the hands of ... Lake Oswego.

The game lived up to its billing. Although Lake Oswego jumped out to a 14-0 lead by the end of the first quarter, Jesuit evened the score less than four minutes into the second. From their they traded touchdowns. In the end, the Lakers' passing game proved bigger than the Crusaders' ground attack, and Lake Oswego won 32-28.

As promised, here is a slideshow of some of my images from the game.




Here is a second slide show with the sequence of Micah Hatfield's amazing touchdown reception from the third quarter.

6A football semifinal: Jesuit vs. Lake Oswego Saturday, November 29, 2008

Jesuit senior Anthony Blake carries the ball upfield for the Crusaders Nov. 28 in the 6A semifinal against Lake Oswego. Blake was the leading rusher for Jesuit, picking up 234 yards on the ground.

The Jesuit/Lake Oswego semifinal was definitely the game of the week, with either team favored to win the state championship next week in Corvallis. For the second time this season, Lake Oswego finished on top, this time by a score of 32-28.

The Lakers remain undefeated, and were the only team to beat Jesuit this year.

I'll post more pictures from this game when I get a chance. You can find a detailed score sheet from the match on the OSAA website.

Shooting wide Saturday, November 22, 2008

Tyler Green of Hermiston (no. 3, right) heads for the outside as Glencoe's Kyle Hogan (no. 24) looks to cut him off Nov. 21 in the fourth quarter of the 5A quarterfinals at Hare Field in Hillsboro. Glencoe scored a touchdown in the final minute to win 30-27.

Whether you're talking about soccer or hockey, shooting wide is almost always a bad thing.

When you're talking about sports photography, shooting wide is also a bad idea a lot of the time—the players are small, depth of field opens up, and backgrounds get bad. But when it works (and I'm not suggesting that any of my photos fit this category) you've got something really special.

I was out in Hillsboro last night to shoot the 5A high school football quarterfinal between Hermiston and Glencoe. So far this year, the weather in the Northwest has been amazing for shooting football—we've had rain, but Friday nights have been generally dry.

This week, it was the opposite—the forecast called for rain to start right around game time, then dry up overnight. Sure enough, the drops started falling at 6:30 last night.

I was prepared for it, though, and had my telephoto lens and camera all wrapped up for the weather. The rain covers keep your equipment dry (and therefore functional) but they do make it harder to shoot in several respects. First, the camera cover, which you have to look through to see the viewfinder, invariably fogs up on the inside. You can generally see through the fog, but you have to trust that the lens is focusing better than what you can see.

Second, the bag is somewhat larger than the camera (obviously), so it blocks your peripheral vision. That makes it harder to see out your non-shooting eye to follow the plays.

Finally, I only have one set of rain covers. Usually at sports events I'll have two cameras on my shoulders: one with a telephoto lens, and one with a wide angle. That way you can quickly switch between the two focal lengths without missing any of the action. But since I could only protect one camera from the rain, I only had one camera ready to go. And in the rain it is tough to switch lenses. Doubly so when you have the rain covers on. So I shot exclusively with the 70-200 for the first three quarters of the game. (That's actually kind of short for football, but you make do with what you've got, right?)

Fortunately the weather wasn't as bad as expected. The rain dried up (more or less) by the end of the first quarter, and basically held off through the second. It rained again through most of the third quarter, but I had planned to shoot from the press box anyway.

When the fourth quarter started and it was dry again, I decided to chance a second, naked camera and shoot wide for a while. (The rain started again near the end of the game, but at that point I figured my gear could handle it for a little while, and I'd need both lenses for the post-game reactions anyway.)

Shooting football with a wide-angle lens is fun. Instead of the typical tight photo that is supposed to make the viewer feel like they're in the game, it gives a broader perspective that makes the viewer feel like they're at the game.

It does, however, require a lot of patience. You really need the play to come to your side of the field. As soon as you set up for a shot on the left side, though, you know the next six plays are going to go to the right. Then the other team will get the ball and play to their left—still the wrong way. But there's no point in moving, because the quarterback will see you and start running plays to whichever side you're not on.

Eventually they have to come your way, and then you're good to go.

(right) Players and coaches hug on the sidelines in the dying seconds of Hermiston's 30-27 loss to Glencoe Friday night.

You can read the game story and see a couple more photos here.





Here are a couple more photos that aren't (as) wide but I wanted to add anyway:

Glencoe's Kyle Hogan (right) was the standout player for the Crimson Tide, running for 281 yards (193 in the first half) and two touchdowns.











Hermiston's Tyler Green made the most of his 66 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns for the Bulldogs. He also caught four passes for 32 yards receiving.

Back at the Kiggins Bowl Monday, November 10, 2008

South Kitsap's Ryan Williams heads for the end zone Nov. 7 in the fourth quarter of the Wolves' game against Skyview. His two fourth-quarter touchdowns weren't enough, though, as the Wolves were knocked out of the playoffs with a 23-21 loss to the Storm at the Kiggins Bowl in Vancouver, Wash.

[left] South Kitsap's Isaiah Davis carries the ball into traffic.


[right] Skyview's Duke Kelly plows into the South Kitsap defense. Kelly rushed for 177 yards Friday night, including a 65-yard touchdown run on the first snap of the game. [below] Duke Kelly wears no. 32 for the Storm.

















[right] I didn't see Simons on the field, but he was hard to miss on the sidelines.

More pictures from the game here.

More football pics Tuesday, November 04, 2008

As promised, here are a few more pictures from last Friday's football action at the Kiggins Bowl. Hudson's Bay won 24-6 to recapture the Peace Pipe trophy. It was also the Homecoming game for the Eagles.


Above, l-r: Mychal Harrington hauls in a pass which he ran inside the 5-yard line for a gain of more than 40 yards; Trappers' quarterback Richard Vansiclen heads for the sideline in the second quarter; Fort Vancouver running back Bogden Goncharuk (no. 8) was the go-to guy for the Trappers offense throughout the game.

Below: Eagles' quarterback Shane Pacheco hands off to Tim Ivanov in the first quarter; wide receiver Mychal Harrington was the biggest offensive threat for the Eagles throughout the game.




















Bottom: The referee was hurt on a play in the second quarter. He missed the next play but returned to finish the game.

Friday night lights Saturday, November 01, 2008

Hudson's Bay High School beat Fort Vancouver 24-6 on Halloween night at the Kiggins Bowl in Vancouver. I'll post more photos here when I get a chance, but you can see some now on The Columbian's website ... click here.

The Kiggins Bowl is a beautiful facility, at least from the photographer's perspective. The light fog that rolled in through the game added an air of mystery, and thankfully the rain held off until I was leaving the stadium.

Football pics Sunday, October 26, 2008

Here are some additional pictures from Friday night's football game between Mark Morris and Hockinson. You can see more of my photos here.

Hockinson jumped out to a 27-0 lead in the third quarter in front of a homecoming crowd, but Mark Morris stormed back with three unanswered touchdowns (each with two-point conversions). There wasn't quite enough time for the Monarchs, though, and Hockinson clinched first place with the 27-24 win.

[left] It was a chilly night in Hockinson. [below] Vivian Quintana and Joey Wagner pose for photos at halftime after being announced as the Homecoming Queen and King.






[below] Hockinson fans cheer for a touchdown in the second quarter.















[right] Hockinson's Kyle Lindsley wraps up Sean Atkins of Mark Morris. [below] Kyle Lindsley of Hockinson (no. 81) breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for Matt Lomasney of Mark Morris in the fourth quarter.

[below] Mark Morris junior Cody Molner stretches across the goal line over George Madrigal's tackle.











[left] Hockinson fans storm the field as the players shake hands after the game.

Busy busy busy Saturday, October 25, 2008

I've been very busy the last part of this week, and I'll post some of that work in the near future. I'm off to shoot another graduation this morning, but before I go I thought I'd give you another look out of the window.

The weather has been fantastic for the past five or six days, and it's supposed to stay that way for a few more.

The pharaoh looks straight at me, but if I look about 45 degrees to the right, this is what I see. If you've been paying (very) close attention you might recognize the hydro pole in the foreground (jog your memory).

You can see pictures from the football game I shot last night here.

Fall means football Monday, October 13, 2008

Southridge runningback Kirk Werhane carries Sam Novak on his shirttail Oct. 10 in the first quarter of the Skyhawks' 42-7 win at Sunset. I haven't seen any stats for the game yet, but Werhane was responsible for a lot of yards.

Fall means football, and all of the necessary stars finally lined up last Friday for me to shoot my first game of the season. I was at Sunset High School for their game against Southridge.

At first glance, the game promised to be a good matchup—both teams had 4-1 records going into the game. Southridge was ranked no. 6 in the state, and Sunset was hovering just out of the top 10.

Those rankings are likely to change somewhat in the next poll, however, as Southridge dominated the game.

Sunset quarterback Michael Verbeek goes to the air Oct. 10 against Southridge.

Southridge kept Sunset close in the first quarter, giving them two personal fouls in the span of three plays.

The Skyhawks nabbed an interception inside the 10 to stop that drive, and then marched the ball down the field only to cough up a fumble.

From the second quarter on, the game was all Skyhawks. They led 21-0 at halftime and 35-0 at the end of third quarter en route to a 42-7 win.

[right] Sunset junior Sam Novak hits the ball out of Kirk Werhane's hands in the first quarter. [below] Southridge defensive lineman Sedric Watson (no. 56) celebrates after scoring his first career touchdown. Watson returned an interception in the second quarter for the major score.















[left] Southridge quarterback Kellen Mastrud (no. 2) has plenty of time in the pocket all night long.

OSAA Football playoffs: Grant 27, Central Catholic 24 Sunday, November 25, 2007

Grant kicker Gabe Miller howls on the sideline after making a 33-yard field goal to win the game as time expired, 27-24, over Central Catholic Nov. 23 at PGE Park in Portland. With the win, Grant advances to the 6A semifinals against Sheldon.

Friday night's 6A quarterfinal between Grant and Central Catholic was probably the most amazing comeback I have ever seen in person.

Grant was the favorite going into the match, but after the Generals scored a field goal on their first possession, they were looking more like privates. Nothing was working: not their passing game, nor their running game, nor their defense.

And, as Central Catholic scored their third touchdown to go up 24-3 with just 2:02 left in the third quarter, we photographers were just wishing they'd get it over with so we could get out of the cold. It looked like the Generals were starting to feel that way, too.

(right) A Grant assistant coach gives Paul McCoy a pep talk after Central Catholic made the score 24-3 with 2:02 left in the third quarter. "Keep the faith," he said.

But it the PIL champions weren't finished yet. They put one in the end zone before the quarter was finished, and added two more to tie the score with 3:17 left in the final period.

Then, on the Rams' next possession, Paul McCoy picked off a long pass to put the ball back in blue hands. They marched down to about the 20-yard line as the clock ticked to :05. At that point, it was all up to kicker Gabe Miller.

His shot was true, time expired, and the Generals won their toughest game of the year.

Next week they play Sheldon, who upset undefeated Lake Oswego with a blocked PAT attempt in overtime in another quarterfinal match on Friday.

(left) Grant's Bryan Butcher gives a Central Catholic defender the stiff arm as he returns an interception in the third quarter. (below) Grant's Kenneth Acker strips the ball from Central Catholic's Demetrius Guice in the third quarter. The Generals recovered the ball, but officials ruled that Guice was down before the fumble. The Rams scored a touchdown on the second play after the missed call.

(9)Southridge upsets (2)Jesuit in overtime, 28-27 Saturday, November 03, 2007

Junior running back Kirk Werhane runs into the end zone to score for the Skyhawks in overtime Nov. 2 as ninth-ranked Southridge upset no.-2 Jesuit 28-27 in the final game of the regular season. The Skyhawks won when Jesuit missed a convert attempt in the extra period.

Friday night's Jesuit-Southridge game proved a thrilling finish to the season for the highly competitive Metro League.

Jesuit came into the match 4-0 in league play and had the opportunity to clinch the Metro League title with a win over Southridge. The Skyhawks (3-1), on the other hand, were looking for a share of the title and an improved playoff berth.

Jesuit's Anthony Blake tries to pick his way through a stack of gold helmets in the second quarter.

The early going was all Jesuit, with the Crusaders storming out to a 14-0 lead. Southridge came back with three touchdowns of their own
to take a 21-14 lead late into the fourth quarter.

Jesuit wasn't about to give up, though, and tied the game with just 22 seconds left on the clock.

Everybody! Let's chase Austin Cheek!

In overtime, the teams alternate possessions from the 25-yard line. Southridge got the ball first, and efficiently moved the ball, finishing with a five-yard run by Kirk Werhane.

Jesuit quarterback Scott Williams connected with Raphiel Lambert for a 25-yard touchdown to nearly even the score. But the extra point attempt missed. The Crusaders were stunned, and kicker Brenden McAleese was heartbroken.

The full house of Skyhawks fans, though, poured onto the field to celebrate with the team.

Kirk Werhane falls into the end zone in the to tie the game for Southridge in the third quarter. (below) Skyhawks players and fans celebrate the win on the field.

David Douglas 41, Sandy 13 Sunday, October 14, 2007

Michael Waters (no. 25, right) takes advantage of Petr Novozhennikov's block to move past Eric Anderson (no. 75) Thursday night in the Scots' game against Sandy. After a scoreless first quarter, David Douglas dominated en route to a 41-13 win.

A slippery field caused by intermittent light rain couldn't stop David Douglas' running game last week in Sandy. Led by running back Michael Waters, the Scots spoiled the Pioneers' homecoming game with a 41-13 win.

David Douglas (3-1) is tied with Central Catholic for second in the Mt. Hood Conference. Sandy slipped to 0-4.

Last week's game was played on Thursday because there was no school on Friday.



(right) Members of Sandy's football team wore number 7 on their helmets in honor of team mate Traven Lutz, who broke his jaw Oct. 5 in Sandy's game against Centennial.






(left) The grandstand was full Thursday night for the annual homecoming game. Jordan Elliott and Annalisa Peterson were announced as King and Queen in a halftime ceremony.






(right) Scots' running back Michael Waters (no. 25, center) breaks into the end zone Thursday night in the third quarter of David Douglas' game in Sandy.