Friday Night Lights: Matadors vs. Mules

Friday night of course found us seated at the high school stadium cheering on the Matadors. We were hoping for a win but it was not to be. The Mules kicked us but we did give them a run for it and the boys played a good game.

This was the first football game of the season that was actually cold! Everyone in the stands could be found in long sleeves and jackets, the concession stand began to serve hot chocolate and coffee, and the dancers couldn't stop shivering.

When I first arrived to take some photos of the dancers in the stands I remembered that Ashley had rejoined the dance team! Welcome back Ashley!!!

Ashley and Heather

Of course half time is my favorite part of football! Heather danced with the Starsteppers...

...then marched with the band.

Go Mats Go!!!

No Football???

This is an "open" week for us, which means

no football game Friday night.

After Heather and the other debutantes were through at the Mid Texas Symphony Concert last Sunday evening, we noticed how gorgeous the sky was. We decided to go over to the high school to capture some photos of it. I have some favorite photos of an awesome sky behind the football stadium so I thought I'd capture some new ones.

This is what the stadium will look like this week: empty.

But, the following week will be

HOMECOMING!!!

So be sure to stay tuned.

In the mean time...what ever shall we do with our Friday night???

I know!!!

We'll go CAMPING!!!

See you on Sunday!!!

Friday Night Football is Here!

Texans LOVE their Friday Night Football! This past Friday night kicked off the high school football season here. We traveled to nearby New Braunfels to watch our beloved Matadors take on the Unicorns. We were kicked pretty badly, but will be right back out there to watch them again for many Friday nights to come.

Of course my personal favorite part of these football games is watching my daughter perform with the marching band and dance team at half time. This is her senior year so the last season we'll get to watch her as a Matador.

LOVE this photo captured of Heather cheering in the stands during the game.

Ashley, the captain of the Starsteppers Dance Team

Heather cheering in the stands alongside her dance buddies.

Tiffany, Kymber, Heather and Katie.

This mama sure loves seeing her daughter obviously having a great time!

One of Heather's best buddies, Ryan...aka Pepe, our school mascot. You may be seeing quite a bit of Ryan on here this year as he has also graciously agreed to be Heather's escort for the Mid Texas Symphony Ball where she will be presented as a debutante in January.

Heather's dance team coaches Cathy with her new assitant Suzanne. Heather LOVES these two ladies!


I have always loved that I can easily spot Heather on the field with the band.







The Starsteppers performed a ladder routine to "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go." After our band and dance team performed our kids stood on the sidelines to watch New Braunfels' teams peform their half time show. Guess what song the New Braunfels dance team used as well??? You got it..."Wake Me Up Before You Go Go." As they finished up on of our band director was walking by and said, "I'm going to be so sick of this song!" The season has only just begun. His comment made me laugh!

The dance team after their performance, watching the opposing team's show.

Yep, that's my daughter being ever so goofy as she carried her ladder back to the trailer after half time.

The Two-Man Road Crew: Todd and Tracy. A HUGE thank you to these two for their dedication to the dance team and cheerleaders. Todd and Tracy haul the teams' trailer with all their equipment to all the games and competitions all year long. You guys rock!

Heather on the field to cheer on the football players as they returned after half time.

PhotoStory Friday-Friday Night Lights

In honor of the approach of fall, I repost this, one of my favorite posts, each year:

The school supplies are purchased, the clothing bought. With the start of school, also comes...

FOOTBALL!!!

The season tickets are purchased, the seat cushion's been found. Past the empty stadium can you see it? Can you feel it? There's a rumbling in the air, louder, louder still...stomp, stomp, clap. Stomp, stomp, clap. Another roar off in the distance....gets louder as more catch on. Can you hear it? "Defense. Defense. Defense." Can you feel the excitement of the first home touchdown of the game? Can you smell the popcorn and peanuts? Hear the cheers from the squad, the notes from the band?

It's with great anticipation we await the

Friday Night Lights.

To join in the Photo Story Friday Fun check out the following:

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

We Got Charged

As is the norm for our Friday nights in the fall, we attended the high school football game. This one was an away game, in Boerne. My friend Pat invited us to ride with her and her family so we gobbled down quick sandwiches as soon as Marty got home from work and headed out.

Unfortunately the Matadors lost their game to the Chargers. I think the final score was 54 to 38. As has been the case in several of the past games we started out well but just couldn't keep it up througout the game. We have one more away game and one more home game. The last home game will also be the game where the dancers dance with their dads (or substitutes) for the half time show. It's known as the "Bob and Sue" dance and is a tradition of the dance team. They'll begin practicing with their dads this Sunday and it's always fun to go watch the dads as they learn their parts.

The dancers performed their pom routine last night, and were allowed to wear their uniform pants instead of the skirts since it was pretty nippy outside.

The Starsteppers

Heather

As soon as the dance was over Heather and 2 other dancers who are also in band ran to the 50-yard line to grab their instruments and take their places with the band.

I've been experimenting more with the manual settings on my camera and I think I'm much closer to finding setting that work for capturing shots of these moving kids under the lights of the stadiums.....and there are only 2 more games left in which to experiement!













My favorite mellophone player, of course.







She always looks so serious when performing with the band.





























Marty brother Mike, his wife Debbie and their daughter Cheyenne met us in Boerne to watch the game with us.
Mike, Marty and Debbie:



Me with my niece Cheyenne.




At the end of every game the band plays the school song and the cheerleaders, dancers and anyone else who knows the words, sing along. This row of dancers were cracking up through the entire song!





As you can see, Heather doesn't always look so serious when performing with the dance team! Once they get back into formation in the stands they sometimes cut up and goof off!
"Miss Innocent"....NOT! ha!

After the game Heather wanted Cheyenne to come down to where she was to say hi. Such cute cousins!

Matadors vs. Buffalos

Our Mighty Matadors lost their Homecoming game against Clemens Buffalos last night. Our boys managed 2 touchdowns, one very early in the game but just couldn't seem to inch past those Buffalos again. It seems especially disappointing to lose our Homecoming game but we'll be right back out there watching them in Boerne next week.



Because it was Homecoming, the dancers and band did not perform at half time, but performed after the game. It was great to see so many people stay after the game was over to watch and support them!




It was a little chilly last night...the first game I've needed a jacket! I for one enjoy football seasons when it stays warm enough for no jackets at all!

I've been experimenting with more manual settings on my camera. I found some recommendations for my camera specifically for shooting night football games so I tried them out. Back to the drawing board....the photos have an overall bluish tint and I still didn't capture the action shots quite like I wanted.

Here are Michelle and Heather in the "Victory Line" before the game.

Heather.

At halftime the Starsteppers and the Matador Band took the field to help present the Homecoming Court.

Presenting Sophomore Duke Joseph and Sophomore Duchess Valerie.

Because it was chilly, Cathy took the dancers into the gym for their warmup time.

Heather's kick during practice in the gym.







Cathy prays with the Starsteppers before every performance. That impresses me so much! Thank you, Cathy for taking such good care of our girls!

Heather and Michelle.

The Starsteppers' kick routine. Heather is in the middle, on the 50 yard line.

(Starstepper) Duchess Ashley (Junior class) with her flowers and sash. Congratulations Ashley!!!

Another Starstepper, Valerie, is the Duchess of the Sophomore class. Congrats Valerie!

Heather with her pal Ashley.

After dancing with the Starsteppers, Heather joined the band. The Mighty Matador Marching Band will be in contest today. Good luck Mats!!!