This was my 3rd time back at Alamo stadium since the renovations of both the football stadium and the adjoining gymnasium. During the renovations, I got inside access to everything–thanks in large part to the San Antonio Independent School District. I photographed the renovation which was absolutely amazing and awesome for me. Those photos were featured on TV, published in a book by Texas Bob, and even got me an interview on TV.
I am very glad that I am a writer/photographer and not an announcer because I really would’ve struggled all night long pronouncing Harlandale and Highlands. Even though I am barking stats all night to Kat in the production truck, I only had to say arlandale and ighlands a few times because she prefers the jersey colors of the teams. I have a rare voice condition called Spasmodic Dysphonia: in plain English, it means my vocal cords have involuntary muscle spasms and I have no control over them. With this condition, H words are the most challenging for me. It is treatable (not curable) with speech therapy and Botox injections. I have had both. If you want to know about it, please email me at mdl0477@gmail.com.
That is enough about me and my wrinkle-free vocal cords. Let’s talk about a great game between the Harlandale Indians and the Highlands Owls, which is in my mix for the game of the year so far.
The Harlandale Indians led 7 to 6 going into the 4th quarter. They had a drive that was 15 plays and gained 34 yards and it used 7:27 off the clock…and yielded zero points.
Now we had 5:53 left in the game. The Highlands Owls scored on a 54 yard reception. Their drive was 3 plays for 75 yards in only 1:14. Highlands went for the 2-point conversion and they converted.
Highlands led Harlandale 14 to 7. Time remaining in regulation was 3:39. I was thinking overtime because Harlandale was marching down the field pretty easily. They had a 4th and 10 from the 20-yard line with less than a minute left. The quarterback for Harlandale reversed the ball to the wide receiver who was looking to throw it–but that wide receiver was tackled for a huge loss by our CW35 Thursday Night Lights player of the game, Joseph Mangacatt. Wow
The Harlandale Indians had 202 total yards. The senior quarterback, Jacob Delgado, was 12 of 22 passing for 116 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. The leading receiver was sophomore Rene Palomino, who had 4 receptions for 56 yards, with the lone touchdown for the Indians. Michael Deleon from the Texas Redzone Report, was correct when he told me earlier in the day that those 2 players always make the game more interesting.
The Highlands Owls had 240 total yards. Armando Ferguson, the running back, had 23 carries for 90 yards. The junior quarterback, Dylan Camacho, was 4 of 13 passing for 102 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. That touchdown pass was to Richard Saldana and also the game clincher.
What a turnaround for the Highlands Owls. Last year, they were winless. I am looking forward to seeing them again in Week 9. I just hope running back Armando Ferguson is healthy. He left the game late in the game due to an injury.
Tomorrow, I will be back at Alamo stadium for another District matchup between the undefeated Sam Houston Hurricanes and the Brackenridge Eagles. The quarterback for Sam Houston is Raymonte Prime. He has 1,395 passing yards with 22 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions. The Brackenridge quarterback is Antonio Lopez, who has 1,438 passing yards with 12 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. I’d better make sure I have plenty of dry erase markers and my hands are well rested because my stat sheet is going to be full of numbers. I mentioned both of these players last month in my players to watch article.
On Friday, I will be at Lehnhoff stadium for a District 25-6A game between the Steele Knights and the Clemens Buffaloes.
Here are a few teaser photos:
