If you were anywhere near central Texas over the weekend, chances are you got some rain. So when the Statesman sent me to the Hays v. Rouse high school football game in Kyle, they wanted me to take precautions, just in case the game fell victim to weather delays.
They wanted me to get a couple shots before the game that they could use if the game was cancelled or postponed beyond their print deadline, so I went over to the stadium a little early. I set my stuff down in the press box and went back down to the field, where both teams were warming up. During the games, I have to stay behind a media line on the sidelines, but during warm-ups, I’m free to wander the field.
I took my 18-70mm lens and tried to shoot low to highlight the looming gray clouds and also to just get something different, that I knew I wouldn’t be able to get during the game. (The photo at the top was also taken during warm-ups.)
I sent in a selection of images before kick-off and went back to the field for the game. Despite the 70% chance of rain, not a drop had fallen on the field.
But I was ready, with my jacket and my camera rain gear. It even started to get cool as the game began.
The story of the game was Hays’ quarterback, #11 Caleb Kimbro. He’s quite the diverse player. He’s the starting quarterback, who can run like a running back and also serves as a kicker.
He didn’t have a perfect game, but he did run for two touchdowns – 59 yards and 27 yards – before his game ended in the second quarter. He went from here:
To here…
He suffered a shoulder dislocation during a tackle and wasn’t able to play the rest of the game. The rest of the team held on to the lead and w0n over Rouse 14-10.
As for the rain, it didn’t come to Kyle until Saturday.
Click here to read Rick Cantu’s game story.
Click here to see more game photos.