8/30 - My 1st ever college football game

Still can't believe that RIT doesn't have a football team. No, flag football doesn't count.

Anyway, seriously, this was my first collegiate football game that I've shot. Given the atmosphere and the access I had at the game, it felt more like a high school game instead of a college game. Plus, my old high school plays their home football games at the same stadium, so that's another reason why I had that feeling.

But don't get me wrong.

The skill level that the Drake Bulldogs and Grand View Vikings have were way much, much better than high school. More deep passes, catches, more brutal tackles, etc.

The Bulldogs defeated the Vikings 28-8, thanks to the outstanding game from Drake's senior quarterback, Mike Piatkowski, who passed for 271 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Here's the photos!

Drake quarterback Mike Piatkowski looks for a receiver against Grand View during the 1st quarter at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, August 30, 2012.

Drake wide receivers Joey Orlando (3) and Nick Rosa (17) celebrate Rosa's receiving touchdown against Grand View during the first quarter at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, August 30, 2012.

Grand View wide receiver Brady Roland catches a pass while Drake defensive back Michael Roane tries to interfere during the first quarter at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, August 30, 2012.

Drake wide receiver Nick Rosa catches a deep pass against Grand View during the first quarter at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, August 30, 2012.

Grand View quarterback Dorian Ballentine drops back against Drake during the second quarter at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, August 30, 2012.

Grand View wide receiver Brady Roland rushes with the ball against Drake during the third quarter at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, August 30, 2012.

Drake quarterback Mike Piatkowski is sacked by Grand View linebacker Dudley Bickham during the third quarter at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, August 30, 2012.

Drake running back T.J. James rushes with the ball against Grand View during the third quarter at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, August 30, 2012.

Drake running back T.J. James fumbles the ball while Grand View defensive back Patrick Downing tackles him during the third quarter at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, August 30, 2012.

Drake tight end Gerran Harris holds onto the ball as Grand View defensive back Jessie Rayford brings him down during the fourth quarter at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, August 30, 2012.

The Drake football team celebrates their 28-8 victory over Grand View with fans after the game at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, August 30, 2012.

I might, might be shooting the Roosevelt-Indianola football game tomorrow night, which is also at Drake Stadium. If that's the case, then I'll let you know on my twitter, @dylan_heuer

Also, during the game, I can't help thinking it was the Drake Bulldogs versus the Ohio State Buckeyes. Kudos to anybody who gets it.


8/22 - Oklahoma City Redhawks (Astros) vs the Iowa Cubs

Well, that was fun...sort of. The game started out as a great pitching duel between Horacio Ramirez and Jarred Cosart. Ramirez went seven innings and only allowed one run to cross the home plate. In his first two starts with the I-Cubs, he has an ERA of 1.38 (I know ERA isn't the best statistic used to evaluate a pitcher, but it's what I have on my game notes in front of me). I would be completely fine if the Chicago Cubs gave Ramirez a look in spring training, if they keep him around. Could provide them a nice pitching depth. 

Dave Sappelt had a two-run triple in the seventh inning to put the Cubs ahead of the Redhawks. But former Cub Brad Snyder answered with a two-run home run off rehabbing Blake Parker to put the Redhawks on top, 4-3. And the Redhawks never looked back. Parker is probably still a little injured, but who knows? 

Otherwise, it was a nice brisk game on a beautiful night.

Not sure if I'll be shooting any more games this season, but I'm hoping to get one more game in. This homestand is the last one for the I-Cubs.


Cubs starter Horacio Ramirez pitches against the Redhawks during the 1st inning at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Wednesday, August 22, 2012.

Redhawks starter Jarred Cosart pitches against the Cubs' Adrian Cardenas during the 1st inning at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Wednesday, August 22, 2012.

The Redhawks' Angel Sanchez makes a throwing error against the Cubs during the 2nd inning at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Wednesday, August 22, 2012.

The Cubs' Adrian Cardenas makes a tag on the Redhawks' Mike Hessman during an attempted steal during the 4th inning at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Wednesday, August 22, 2012.

The Cubs' Alfredo Amezaga throws to first base in attempt to get an out against the Redhawks during the 5th inning at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Wednesday, August 22, 2012.

The Cubs' Dave Sappelt hits a two-run triple against the Redhawks during the 7th inning at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Wednesday, August 22, 2012.

The Cubs' Blake Lalli rounds the bases to score against the Redhawks during the 7th inning at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Wednesday, August 22, 2012.

The Cubs' Blake Lalli celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Redhawks during the 7th inning at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Wednesday, August 22, 2012.

The Redhawks' Brad Snyder hits a go-ahead, two-run home run against the Cubs during the 8th inning at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Wednesday, August 22, 2012.

The Cubs' Blake Parker reacts after giving up a two-run home run to Brad Snyder during the 8th inning at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Wednesday, August 22, 2012.

The Redhawks' Brad Snyder, left, celebrates his two-run home run with Jimmy Paredes against the Cubs during the 8th inning at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Wednesday, August 22, 2012.

The Cubs' Jairo Asencio pitches against the Redhawks during the 9th inning at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Wednesday, August 22, 2012.

The Redhawks' Brian Bixler rounds third base while blowing a bubble with his gum to score against the Cubs during the 9th inning at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Wednesday, August 22, 2012.

The Redhawks' Jose Valdez, left, and Carlos Corporan celebrate their 6-3 victory over the Cubs at the end of the game at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Wednesday, August 22, 2012.

The Redhawks' Brad Snyder, who had the game-winning home run during the 8th inning, celebrates a 6-3 victory over the Cubs with teammate J.D. Martinez  at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Wednesday, August 22, 2012.

8/17 - Friday Night Lights RETURNS

It's back! Friday night lights! High School football in Iowa opens this weekend all over the state. My alma mater, Roosevelt, didn't have a game today, so I decided to attend the Dowling-Johnston game to dust off my football photography skills. 

I'm glad I did.

After shooting baseball for a while, it was a tricky transition from baseball to football, since football is much, much faster than baseball. Also, there's like a gazillion of players, umpires, aliens, zombies, fans, whatever on the field and they got in my way a lot.

But that's okay. It's a good warm-up for me. I definitely had fun watching the game and interacting with the fans at the game. It's just great to be back under the lights!

Here are the photos from the game (18 of them, btw, so give it some time to load):

Dowling seniors pose for a photo before the game against Johnston at Johnston High School in Johnston, Iowa on Friday, August 17, 2012.

Dowling seniors pose for a photo before the game against Johnston at Johnston High School in Johnston, Iowa on Friday, August 17, 2012.

Johnston seniors pose for a photo before the game against Dowling at Johnston High School in Johnston, Iowa on Friday, August 17, 2012.

Johnston's seniors Jaryd Lawrence, Sam Schade, Brock Hoffman, Kris Queck and Conner Jacobsen hold hands during the pre game against Dowling at Johnston High School in Johnston, Iowa on Friday, August 17, 2012.

Dowling senior Joey Barsetti is tackled by Johnston senior Sam Schade during the 1st quarter at Johnston High School in Johnston, Iowa on Friday, August 17, 2012.

Dowling sophomore Ryan Boyle throws a pass against Johnston during the 1st quarter at Johnston High School in Johnston, Iowa on Friday, August 17, 2012.

Dowling junior Chase Dowell rushes with the ball during the 1st quarter at Johnston High School in Johnston, Iowa on Friday, August 17, 2012.

Johnston sophomore Jordan Weddington looks for a hole to run through against Dowling during the 1st quarter at Johnston High School in Johnston, Iowa on Friday, August 17, 2012.

Johnston junior Luke McDermott sacks Dowling sophomore Ryan Boyle during the 2nd quarter at Johnston High School in Johnston, Iowa on Friday, August 17, 2012.

Johnston seniors Summoned Doswell and Paige Boyer celebrate Johnston's touchdown during the 2nd quarter at Johnston High School in Johnston, Iowa on Friday, August 17, 2012.

Johnston sophomore Jordan Weddington rushes the ball in front of a sunset against Dowling during the 2nd quarter at Johnston High School in Johnston, Iowa on Friday, August 17, 2012.

Dowling seniors Meaghan McCarthy, Jenna Lee, Abby Hougham and Maura Connolly pose for a photo after Dowling scored a touchdown against Johnston during the 2nd quarter at Johnston High School in Johnston, Iowa on Friday, August 17, 2012.

Dowling senior Matt Haack returns for a touchdown against Johnston during the 3rd quarter at Johnston High School in Johnston, Iowa on Friday, August 17, 2012.

Dowling seniors Emily Tuazon, Callie Lynch and Clare Goodwin celebrate Dowling's touchdown against Johnston during the 3rd quarter at Johnston High School in Johnston, Iowa on Friday, August 17, 2012.

Johnston senior Michael Kinning throws for a pass against Dowling during the 3rd quarter at Johnston High School in Johnston, Iowa on Friday, August 17, 2012.

The Johnson defensive line and Dowling offensive line wait for the snap during the 4th quarter at Johnston High School in Johnston, Iowa on Friday, August 17, 2012.

Dowling junior Brandon Mauro holds the ball as sophomore Nick McLellan prepares to kick the ball for an extra point against Dowling during the 4th quarter at Johnston High School in Johnston, Iowa on Friday, August 17, 2012.

Dowling head coach Tom Wilson talks to the team after the game at Johnston High School in Johnston, Iowa on Friday, August 17, 2012. The Dowling Catholic Maroons defeated the Johnston Dragons 34-16. 


To close out this post, I'm going to post a link to the Des Moines Register, showing you a story of this game written by a friend of mine, Tommy Birch. If you haven't heard of him, check out his stories at the register. He's awesome. Covers mostly high school stuff around Central Iowa. 

8/6 - Dog Days of August (literally)






The dog in the last two pictures belongs to me. We call it Spike.

8/6 - Reno Bauers (Aces) vs the Iowa Campanas (Cubs)

The Reno Aces have Trevor Bauer. The Iowa Cubs have...umm...Tony Campana. Yeah.

I was planning on shooting the whole game here, but I left early. I had to get back home to work for MLB.com. I needed to cover the games on the west coast (including the Cubs vs Padres) for MLB.com. Plus, the game was just dragging along. It took two hours just to get five innigs in! Either way, here's what I could salvage out of my limited time and from a boring game:

Tony Campana

Matt Tolbert. Every minor league has that veteran depth.

Frankie De La Cruz. Who?

Jack Bauer.

AJ Pollock. One of the D-backs top prospects

Tyler Skaggs. Another top prospect of the D-backs. The Aces are stacked.

HEY! Greg Rohan!

I know I said Jack Bauer earlier, so yeah. 

Tony doing his stuff.

Jim Adduci (Bobby Scales 2.0)

I'm planning on shooting Wednesday's Iowa Cubs game against the Reno Aces, which means you will see Ryan Rowland-Smith (surprised he's still around) against Tyler Skaggs, who should be pretty good. I'll be shooting the whole game as I don't have to work for MLB.com that night.

Follow me on twitter! @dylan_heuer