Thursday, December 6, 2012

Strick's 2012 PAC-10 Fall Sports Highlights

Spring-Ford district football champs.
     High school fall sports is the season that I enjoy photographing the best. With near perfect days and moderate temperatures most of the time, what's not to like shooting these outdoor events. There are cold rainy days at the end of the season, but mostly games are played in ideal conditions.
     Spring-Ford's District 1 champion football team was the last to play this year defeated by Coatesville in the state playoffs to end the Rams best season in a long time. I've read it many times that unless you finish off by winning the state title the last game will no doubt end in a disappointing loss. But along the way were many positive moments from various sports and photographs that I have snapped that highlight another great year.
Boyertown PAC-10 soccer champs.
I can't say that I favor one sport over another as each  offers challenges to get the best shots. Soccer and field hockey are great action sports with little time stoppage and players are constantly moving around the field. Spring-Ford battled Upper Perk for the PAC-10 field hockey title and afforded me a pile of post game celebration pictures to choose for The Mercury's sports page. Tennis is fairly easy to cover and players get emotional at times on a good volley.
Methacton's Brandon Vance
     The PAC-10 golf championship was held at Gilbertsville Golf Course. The winner was decided on a one hole playoff with Methacton's Brandon Vance cracking a long straight drive down the fairway.  All participants from each school followed the two players battling for the title. It made for a some gallery pressure but these seasoned players seemed unaffected.
     There was no fist pumping or high fives after Vance sank the winning birdie putt. He calmly walked over and shook hands with runner-up Carlo Barrasse walking off the green together in a classy finish.
Spring-Ford PAC-10 field hockey champs
     Football is another opportunity to grab some good pictures. I won't get real effective photos from teams who are running constantly up the middle for two or three yards with the defense gang tackling in piles. I like teams that mix in a variety of plays where a quarterback will launch a pass or a running back will bounce outside scrambling down the sidelines for a long touchdown. Pottsgrove  had a PAC-10 title winning season getting closed out in district play.
Pottsgrove are PIAA state cross country champs.
     There was one team this fall that swept all the titles. The Pottsgrove Falcon boys cross country team won the PIAA State AA Boys cross country champions. I watched them earlier in the season and they bunched their runners together in a pack ganging up on teams with a strong group also winning districts and a PAC-10 title. After a strong season in 2011,  early on this year they showed their potential and teamwork. The veteran bunch made the best of their year going out as title winners.
     The weather has turned cold and its back inside for another season of hoops, swimming and wrestling. But not before playing tribute to the good sports that take to the green fields in autumn.

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