FOTOBALL: the dry run

Tonight was the dry run for Friday night football for high school teams across the area as they faced off in scrimmages. It was also a dry run for everyone else from the ticket takers to the body painters in the stands to the shooters on the sidelines. I haven't shot football besides practice since G-Day in April and before that the last game I shot was the Capitol One Bowl on January 1. It felt good to be back behind that white line, lens trained on the pigskin, anticipation of the next play on the rise. I think I did okay despite a touch of rust. It was an exciting half for a scrimmage complete with an interception, two fumbles, a touchdown and a whole lot of heart.


Oconee County senior Michael Smith gives a war cry as the Warriors take on the North Oconee Titans in a scrimmage Friday, Aug. 21, 2009, in Watkinsville.


Oconee County Warriors take the field for their scrimmage against the North Oconee Titans Friday, Aug. 21, 2009, in Watkinsville.




North Oconee fans cheer during the Titans' scrimmage against the Oconee County Warriors Friday, Aug. 21, 2009, in Watkinsville.


North Oconee's Brandon Whitlock is brought down in the Titans' scrimmage against the Oconee County Warriors Friday, Aug. 21, 2009, in Watkinsville.


Oconee County's Joe Yarbrough, left, contends for a pass intended for North Oconee's Matt Sims before the pass is ruled incomplete in the first quarter of the teams' scrimmage Friday, Aug. 21, 2009, in Watkinsville.


Oconee County's Kyle Morris recovers a Brandon Whitlock fumble in the 1st quarter.


Oconee County linebacker Kyle Morris reacts after recovering a fumble in the Warriors' scrimmage against the North Oconee Titans Friday, Aug. 21, 2009, in Watkinsville.


Oconee County's Jamie Stephens breaks away with North Oconee's Jace Brannon trailing to score a touchdown in the 1st quarter of the teams' scrimmage Friday, Aug. 21, 2009, in Watkinsville.


Oconee County's Jamie Stephens breaks away to score a touchdown in the 1st quarter of the teams' scrimmage Friday, Aug. 21, 2009, in Watkinsville.


Oconee County's Jamie Stephens, left, is greeted by teammate Davis Aiken after scoring a touchdown in the 1st quarter of the Warriors' scrimmage against the North Oconee Titans Friday, Aug. 21, 2009, in Watkinsville.


Oconee County fans cheer during the Warriors' scrimmage against the North Oconee Titans Friday, Aug. 21, 2009, in Watkinsville.




North Oconee's Brandon Whitlock runs the ball in the 1st quarter of the Warriors' scrimmage against the Oconee County Warriors Friday, Aug. 21, 2009, in Watkinsville.


Oconee County QB Hutch Roper is rushed by North Oconee's Montana Casper, left, and Chris Ranieri during the 2nd quarter of the teams' scrimmage Friday, Aug. 21, 2009, in Watkinsville.


Oconee County QB Hutch Roper looks for an open receiver.


The North Oconee sideline goes wild after an interception during the Titans' scrimmage against the Oconee County Warriors Friday, Aug. 21, 2009, in Watkinsville.


Oconee County's Jamie Stephens is brought down during a scrimmage against the North Oconee Titans Friday, Aug. 21, 2009, in Watkinsville.


North Oconee's Victor Pallatto sacks Oconee County QB Hutch Roper during their scrimmage Friday, Aug. 21, 2009, in Watkinsville.

Here is the story for those interested.