Swartz Creek High School
Football Photo Archive
Football Banquet
Thursday, November 14th was the football banquet. As always it is the last time for a senior to say goodbye to their days of high school football. Coach spoke of the future of Swartz Creek Football which at that moment was sitting in front of him. He said this year was a building year and next year is a winning year. Champions are not born over night but coach has confidence that next year Swartz Creek will have a winning streak. New this year for the banquet was a slide show and a video of some highlights of this season which the guys seemed to enjoy.
Football Camp
Football camp has started and we can already tell it's going to be a great season. Freshman, JV, and Varsity are all looking great and are honing in on their skills before the season starts. The Boys are out there in the hot sun conditioning and starting with the basics of football. By the time the season starts the players will be fearsome on the field and I predict that we will be metro league champs!! This years Varsity coach is Mike Ryan, the JV coach is Randall Martin, and the Freshman coach is Josh Attwood.
Diane L. Green Photography LLC in Swartz Creek Announces 2009 Senior Model Search
Diane L. Green Photography LLC of Swartz Creek my want you. For the first time their photography studio is providing an open senior modeling competition to area high school juniors of the the 2007-2008 school year. Previously the studio had invited only students they knew personally to participate. Diane explains " This year we have had a great deal of interest from parents and seniors about how we choose our models for advertising. While we are local to Swartz Creek and have concentrated our advertising and service on the Swartz Creek community we have had seniors from Grand Blanc, Linden, Bentley, Kearsley, Flushing, Mt. Morris, Durand, Flint, Carmen-Ainsworth and Fenton this year. It was very surprising since we hadn't advertised in any of those areas directly. As we are seeing students from those schools we wanted to include them as well. The idea of a model search just seemed logical. We have had a lot of fun and success photographing this years models at Dow Gardens and Mackinac Island. We have already planned next years locations at Dow Gardens, Mackinaw City, Mackinac Island, Grand Haven and down town Chicago." Students interested in becoming a model for the studio must have parental consent, and submit an application (available at their website) along with one head and shoulder and one full length snap shot. "We are looking for a cross-section of students for our 2009 advertising that represent the many different styles students express today." If you are interested in becoming a senior model for the studio you can visit their website at www.dg-pics.com/seniors.html or contact the studio by phone at 810-496-3498.
Football Banquet Highlights
The Grand Blanc Country Club was the place to be if you were a football player for Swartz Creek. The Annual football banquet was held to recognize those young men from Swartz Creek that have distinguished themselves on the grid iron. After dinner the Freshman, JV and Varsity teams were recognized by their respective coaches and received individual award packets. Attendance was high as parents, grandparents and friends watched and photographed these young men. Congratulations to the 2007 football teams of Swartz Creek High School for an excellent season of football.
2007 Season
Senior Walk a Swartz Creek Classic.
October 12th, 2007 marked the annual senior walk at the Swartz Creek home football game. Seniors for the class of 2008 and their parent escorts lined the track during the half-time show and were introduced to the audience as has become the custom over the years. From football players and cheerleaders to poms and the marching band each senior was recognized for their specific contribution to the fall football program. Proud parents received a carnation from athletic director Sue Calvo before proceeding down the announced march. Camera flashes snapped off as family members captured the moment for posterity and scrapbooks and perhaps an open house photo board or two. Our cameras were there to capture the event. Below is this years 2007 Senior Walk.
Candle Light Walk Closes Home Game Season.
Once again Swartz Creek has closed its home game football season with the traditional candle light walk around the football field. Friday night marked a right of passage as seniors, family and friends assembled and lit candles for the candle light walk. No longer will this group of seniors exploit their gridiron daring on their own turf to the sounds of fans, cheerleaders, poms and the marching band. There is a kind of sadness that comes with each seniors candle light walk as the realization sinks in this is the last time they will be on this field together for this type of event. Next season they will be apart, attending different schools or at work. The final chapter of there high school lives is coming to a close as they race towards graduation and this tradition of flickering candles, slow steps and unity signifies an end to all things of high school and a new beginning for each senior. Its both joyful and sad at the same time. For the class of 2008 this was their first and last candle walk around the field. Time is slipping past and their futures are about to begin as they say goodbye to their past.
Senior Players Walk the Field.
This year marks the second annual senior varsity field walk at Swartz Creek High School. Started last year by athletic director Sue Calvo the senior players of the varsity team line up for one last slow walk the length of the football field after the last home game. As seniors this is the last time these boys will be together as a football team on there home field. For many of them who have played together since there youth football days the walk is a subtle reminded that graduation looms just around the corner. No more games together as a team. The idea came from an Oxford High School fall athletic directory last year. After our game at Oxford the Oxford seniors walked their field after what was there last home game. Its one of those traditions that make memories for the players not soon forgotten. As with last year our cameras were there to capture the event as the boys walked from goal line to goal line.
Class of 2008 Senior Varsity Players walk the field for the last time.
Framed panoramic copies(11 3/4 x 36) of the senior field walk are available from local photographer Diane L. Green at 810-496-3498.
Coach Returns to Field.
Head coach of the varsity football team Bill Altimore returned Friday night to the gridiron. After a medical absence of several weeks coach Altimore was once again on the sidelines for the last Dragons home football game. A sign displayed below the scoreboard showed the schools support for his return.
Coach Altimore seated on the golf cart at Friday nights game along with the sign under the scoreboard.
Tigers Drool as Dragons Rule!
Thursday evening August 30th saw the mighty Swartz Creek Dragons Varsity Football Team take to the grid iron for the second game of the season against the Fenton Tigers. The first quarter proved Fenton had brought a rushing game this year that established a lead for the Tigers to be closely followed by the Dragons for 3 quarters of the game. While Fenton may have momentarily stunned the Dragons in the first quarter the second saw a different level of play coming from our boys. Defensive lines were tightened and a combination of running and passing plays kept the Dragons within striking range. The names of Brandon Jacobs, Dave Gardner, Tim Crist and Kyle Sawyer rang out from the announcers box as an extra point was blocked, yardage was gained and first downs achieved. But the real excitement was not in the first three quarters of this game but rather the last. For the first time since the start of the game Swartz Creek pulled ahead of the Tigers and on the return to the Tigers after the goal came up with possession of the ball again within scoring range. Pushing down the field through the Tigers like a juggernaut the Dragons captured another touchdown thus sealing the fate of the beleaguered Tigers. As our cameras snapped away at the sidelines some extraordinary scenes unfolded. Tim Crist hurdling in front of the ball to foil Fenton's extra point attempt. Brandon Jacobs pushing through the line on a rushed running play and forcing the opposition to use 4 and sometimes 5 team members to bring him to a stop on more than one occasion. Considering the number of holds broken, side steps and reverses Dave Gardner used during the game we may just knick-name him "Teflon Dave" since nothing seems to stick to him very long, certainly not Tiger paws. While we may have singled out a few names we do not forget that this was a team victory. Starting with the coaching staff and strategy, the long hours of conditioning and practice that every member of the team has put in before the start of this season, and the contribution every team player made throughout the game summing up this victory. A Game well played Dragons. Congratulations.
Freshman and JV Teams Savor Victories over Fenton.
The games for the Freshman and JV football teams having been delayed due to weather were played on Friday August 31st at the High School. With the Varsity team winning their game Thursday night the stage was set for the hat trick. In a very one sided game the JV team managed to walk away with their game and finish with a score of Swartz Creek 33 Fenton 0 while the Freshman team cranked out a very impressive win of Swartz Creek 13 Fenton 0. Congratulations goes out to all of our football teams for turning out such an impressive group of victories over the Tigers. Keep up the great work. Go Dragons.
Highlights of Fridays Freshman Football Game.
Its Football Season in Swartz Creek!!!
Last Thursday night marked the opening of the 2007 football season for Swartz Creek. Our cameras were on hand for the JV game against the Lapeer East Eagles. While the Eagles may have scored the first touch down the Dragons responded by shutting down their offense. The Dragon offense on the return worked the ball down the field in a combination of running and passing plays showing off Sam Cummings talents as quarter-back. Reaching their goal and succeeding on the extra point the Dragons were able to intercept a pass from the Eagles quarter-back to come up with there second touch down. With only a few minutes run off the clock in the second quarter the game was delayed and then postponed due to weather concerns. From what our cameras have seen during this opener the JV team will be a sporting opponent to any challenger. Well done JV. The Varsity teams Friday evenings game in Lapeer was played despite a weather delay as heavy winds, lightning, rain and tornados tore through our neck of the woods. The game got under way at about 8:30PM with the varsity winning 33 to the Eagles 17. A job well done.
2006 Season
Archive Below
Swartz Creek Varsity Football Close 2006 with a WIN!
The last Varsity football game was much more than just a football game. From the Cheerleaders and Poms, the marching band and color guard, the senior walk at half time to the candle light walk and the senior players last walk on the field last Friday night was pure spectacle. A right of passage for every high school senior and their parents in attendance. It was a time of emotional highs and lows, excitement and reflection. One last time students came together to participate in their teams. Cheerleaders cheered, Pom's danced, the mascot fooled around, the marching band and color guard provided a sound and visual extravaganza, and the football team Won. For the Freshman, Sophomores and Juniors it was the promise of things to come, for the seniors the fulfillment of 4 years of preparation and the realization that their final year is rapidly coming to a close. At the high note of half time, parents escorted their senior sons and daughters in front of the grand stand beaming with pride in the accomplishments each has achieved. Later after the game They would take this walk once more by candle light, elated at the victory of the football team but with a more somber note as the realization that this was their last time to play as a team, participate as this group and that next football season would be very different. No longer will we see the beaming smiles of Lauren Renwick and Jena Grantham, the precision of Lisa Badgley and Lauren Owens, the stocky frame and seriousness of Pat Briggs, or the determination of Ben Cummings, Ray Reaves, Eddie Constable, Cal Sawyer or Robbie Johnson. This has been their year. As the candle light walk rounded the turn and filled the field at the 50 yard line parents, seniors, family and friends expressed joy and happiness as well as sadness that this great time in their lives had come to a close. Friends embraced, cameras flashed and balloons floated toward the heavens in this last football season celebration. The fearless Dragons Varsity football team of 2006 has set a high standard for their successors to follow and emulate. Go Dragons!
Swartz Creek Football Fans at last Friday Night's Game
A few of Swartz Creek future High School stars pose for the camera at last Friday nights game.
The senior Varsity Cheerleaders pose for one last shot.
Getting a lift at the game Friday night was easy with this mascot around.
Brandi and Missy have been striking this pose for our cameras all year long. We thought it was time we included it for everyone to see.
Senior Players walk the field one last time.
The senior Varsity football players made their way to the end zone one last time after the game Friday night. This time it was not to practice or to meet an opponent. This time was very special. It was their time to walk the field as Seniors. Their last full dress walk of High School. We salute these valiant young men of the gridiron, these fearless Dragons. #3 Steve Krepp, #51 Josh McGinn, #48 Donovan Youngs, #21 Ryan Bair, #58 Patrick Briggs, # 12 Ray Reaves, #52 Eddie Constable, #24 Ben Cummings, (Ryan Baumchen # 61 in front of #14), #14 Eric Wall, # 59 Jacob Morrisette, #89 Martin Johannsen, #2 Cal Sawyer and #45 Rob Johnson.
Click on the photo at the left to view our gallery of senior walk Photos. When the new page opens scroll down to the Senior Walk Gallery and click on it.
Freshman Football Team Continue to Rock!
Thursday afternoon the Swartz Creek Freshman Football Team traveled to Brandon for a confrontation on the old gridiron. A few of the things they brought along for the journey were a bus, cheerleaders, loyal fans and a game! They brought all of the elements required to win, both a ground and air offensive and a strong defense. If the final score is any indicator, Brandon didn't know what hit them. Although I have a feeling some of Brandon's players have a good idea. Swartz Creek won and by a wide spread.
Swartz Creek Freshman 35 Brandon 6
If you haven't been paying attention to the Freshman team maybe it's time. with a record to date 6 wins 2 loses and 1 tie it's clear that the future of football is safe in the hands of these capable young men. We are looking forward to following them through Junior Varsity and Varsity level games. Go Dragons.
Freshman Tame Wildcats!
The calendar may have said October 12th but the weather was hinting December 12th. Last Thursday night our Freshman Football Team took to the gridiron against the Oxford Wildcats in what was a one sided game for our young Dragons. With temperatures just above freezing, a cold wild blowing and a field wet from rain and muddied from play both teams battled their way through slop to force their opponents plays. While our boys may have been covered in mud their spirits were high and their plays were working to halt the wildcats and advance the ball down the field. This was a great game to watch for the die hard fans attending. Truly Swartz Creek Football fans are a hearty bunch to set through spitting rain, cold and wind, cheering our boys on to victory. While the wildcats shook mud from their paws our Dragons built an impressive lead early and maintained it throughout the remainder of the game. Oh you know how this one goes. SWARTZ CREEK DRAGONS WIN !!!!!!
Freshman Sam Cummings is seen here just after the victory over the Oxford Wildcats covered in mud from the field. "It was cold, wet, muddy, what a great place to play a football game." Sam enjoyed playing in the less than hospitable conditions and didn't mind tracking a little mud around. After all what's a little mud when you win.
Copyright © 2006-2008 Swartz Creek Week. All Rights Reserved. An online publication of Diane L. Green Photography LLC.
webmaster@swartzcreekweek.com