Are you ready to embark on an exciting adventure through the world of high school football? Join me as I share my experiences and insights from covering 50 games in the 2024 season. It's a journey that has taken me through various schools and venues, and I'm here to bring you the highlights and stories along the way.

Uncovering the Thrills of High School Football

Section 1: The Beginnings

I often find myself answering the question, "Are you going to the game tonight?" with a quick, "Yup," or "One of them." The truth is, I'm constantly on the move, attending games wherever they may be. This summer, during the Major League Baseball all-star break, my first football season planning meeting came up, and I hatched a plan for the 2024 high school football season. Instead of chasing every game possible, I decided to set a target of 50 games.This decision marked a shift in my focus. While I used to emphasize narrative game stories in the print editions of the Times Telegram and Observer-Dispatch, my attention has now shifted more towards photography. With an ever-growing coverage area, shuttling between games allows me to interact with more players, coaches, and people.

Section 2: The Schools and Venues

In this 50-game journey, I have covered 46 teams at 24 schools and two other venues. Since 1992, when I first started covering high school football in Herkimer and Oneida counties as a college student stringer for the Observer-Dispatch, my coverage has expanded. I started with four schools and two football teams at the Evening Times and gradually added more. The move to Herkimer, working with the Telegram, and the merger of the two papers into one further expanded my coverage within Herkimer County. Now, with the move to Utica and a post-COVID evolution of the newsroom structure, I find myself in a unique position to bring you the best of high school football.

Section 3: The Game Planning

The basic plan remains the same: try to get to the best matchups and most important games while also making sure to see everyone over the course of the season. This requires a schedule with more Thursday games and a willingness to double up on Saturdays with schools that play under the lights. We also view the stray Sunday game as an opportunity.There have been times when I've missed a few schools, like Rome Free Academy and Canastota. But I've made sure to see every East Division team from classes B and D, as well as the eight-player division. Having a backup plan is also crucial when games get out of hand. Knowing who else is playing nearby and planning which games to attend first helps ensure a fulfilling experience.

Section 4: Memorable Moments

There have been countless memorable moments throughout this season. One such moment was at Dolgeville, where the Blue Devils led 44-0 shortly before halftime of a 52-12 win over Beaver River. I then watched the latter part of Little Falls' second win of the season. Another highlight was Frankfort-Schuyler hosting West Canada Valley and leading 46-0 at halftime. Later in the season, Mt. Markham advanced in sectionals with a field goal in overtime, and the drama of the dome rematch between New Hartford and Indian River was unforgettable. Little Falls took a lead and clinched a sectional playoff spot with a safety in the fourth quarter, and Dolgeville ran a kickoff back for a tie-breaking touchdown to secure a league title.

Section 5: The Playoffs and Beyond

As I write this on an early deadline for Thanksgiving, there are three weeks of state playoffs remaining, and three Section III teams are still active - Whitesboro, Dolgeville, and Frankfort-Schuyler. Who knows what moments await in these final weeks? It's a time of excitement and anticipation as these teams battle it out on the field.This 50-game journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences. I've seen the highs and lows of high school football, and I'm grateful for every moment. I can't wait to see what the next few weeks hold and how many more games I'll be able to witness.