I’ve taken video and photos at games I’ve covered, but I always used my phone to capture those photos. That changed on Nov. 16, when I used a Nikon (loaned to me from the Billings Gazette photo staff) to shoot a Montana Class A state semifinal football game.

I also shot video on my phone, like I do every game, and created a highlight reel that I posted to YouTube and to 406mtsports.com. I am a writer, after all, so those visual components took back seats to my game story. The story, photos and video can be found here: https://406mtsports.com/high-school/football/class-a-football-turnovers-help-no-miles-city-beat-no/article_9bc474d8-b422-5cfc-8481-04ee78046d3a.html

A Gazette photographer went to the state title game a week later, but I still created a highlight video in addition to my gamer: https://406mtsports.com/high-school/football/class-a-championship-no-miles-city-handles-no-laurel-for/article_db92049d-71ce-5baa-829e-88696c749d0f.html

UPDATE (12/2/20): I took photos, shot video and wrote stories from two state title football games this season. Links to those stories are below.

State 6-Man football: Froid-Lake beats White Sulphur Springs for 1st championship

State B football: Inspired by injured senior, Manhattan rallies past Fairfield for 1st title