2024 Week 18 (Texas)

The last week of the season is always an interesting one. Most years, it ends in Texas. And this was the case in 2024. Now, unlike in previous weeks, I’m not going to recount each individual game. As all twelve of them would take forever as I was the photographer and videographer of the postgame press conferences. My time covering the play-by-play was limited though I did do tweet updates as scores happened for select games. Or parts of games.

My drive started Monday morning at 8:41am. I left from Boardman, Ohio and had at minimum 1,238 miles to get to AT&T Stadium. And just over 30 hours to meet my friend for dinner.

So, with that, my course was set. I took the usual northerly route. I-76 through Akron to I-71 to Columbus. I-70 through Indianapolis to St. Louis and following I-44 south of the Gateway Arch toward Oklahoma. From there the plan was to, as it is most years, take US69 south where it converts into US75 north of Texas and follow that the rest of the way into Dallas.

The first part of the drive went easy. I made it into Indianapolis where I stopped for the first fill-up of the trip. Using points, I only paid $1.849/gallon. I wanted to eat Indian food at the restaurant nearby, but it was closed for a remodel. My daughter and I had eaten there on our trip back from California.

So, back on the highway, I headed west into Illinois and stopped in Vandalia, at one of the last Ponderosa Steakhouses that I know. Another is still limping along in Butler, Pennsylvania.

It’s still the same food you remember. And though just the buffet is a bit pricier than before, it’s worth it on a drive like this for the efficiency. As soon as you pay and seat yourself, you can eat. No waiting for a waitress and your order. For the kitchen to make it. Even on a busy afternoon. Which is always a good thing.

After finishing dinner in about a half hour, I was back on I-70. Going through St. Louis and following the old routing along I-64 to the Poplar Street Bridge and onto I-44 west. A long, though meandering drive southwest through Missouri. Stopping for gas once again in Stanford.

No food or drink. I had sweet tea in a cooler and topped off my ice. And kept on going. Into Oklahoma and the Will Rogers Turnpike. Getting off on US69 in Big Timber. Oklahoma’s toll road is different as you pay for the whole road at the halfway point, and then use your receipt to get change for getting off before Tulsa. It’s rather efficient. Especially if you did stay on it until Tulsa as most travelers in this area are apt to do. I am not.

US69 has many sections ‘like’ a freeway. But it’s all four-lane throughout. Just some of it has towns. There’s places lik Adair, Pryor, Chateau, Wagoner, and Muskogee.

And then a nice freeway stretch by Checotah and crossing I-40 and past beautiful Lake Eufaula. The freeway ends in Mcalester.

It was getting late, but I kept driving through small towns like Savanna, Stringtown, Kiowa, and Atoka. Where US75 joins the road. Then south through Durant and the newly built freeway by Calera and into the small town of Colbert where I called it a night around 4:30am.

I had considered driving the rest of the way, but without a hotel in Arlington that night, I didn’t want to force anything. So, instead, I took a short nap and then was up and driving again a few hours later.

US75 was a breeze, though I did take a detour around the east side of Sherman. The loop road I had never been on. Just to see the town. Then back on US75 down through the growing megalopolis of Dallas that starts as far north as Anna now. Going through the High Five at the interchange with I-635, and into Dallas and west across I-30 into Arlington. And finally arriving: at the Walmart.

It never not surprises me that a billion dollar stadium was built across the street from a Walmart Supercenter.

With time to kill, though, before my friend would arrive from the Houston area, I went in search of lunch. And found it at Chamas do Brazil. It was cheap, for a Brazilian Steakhouse, and really good.

If you’ve never been to a Brazilian Steakhouse, I highly recommend them. It’s all-you-can-eat, and they serve the meat on swords and slice off pieces for you at your request. Also, a full salad bar where I got Caesar Salad, and Lobster Bisque. Given it was lunch, the lunch menu of meats isn’t as exhaustive, but they had flank steak, and Picanha.

After eating, I went to my hotel and checked in. My usual haunt, that I won’t be revealing. But I stay here almost every time I’m in Arlington. It’s close to the stadium and it’s cheap. And then went to On The Border for dinner. A lot, I know.

We ate and talked for hours. The restaurant was fairly slow, but we were having a decent time. I had the Ranchiladas, which was steak sliced on top of the enchiladas. I’ve had this almost every time I’ve been here. Except one year I had steak fajitas. Which were good but way too much. And with the Brazilian Steakhouse for lunch, I wasn’t spending a lot of expecting a lot for dinner.

Next morning, it was on to the stadium. I stopped at my friends hotel to corral them, and carpool to the stadium. The new setup this year was you had to get media passes each day of game and not for the whole weekend in advance. Apparently to cut down on fakes.

This year, I was shooting for Lone Star Gridiron. And my primary purpose was getting the end of game on-field photographs and videoing the post-game press conferences.

Going through security was a little slower, too, this year. As they were more thorough with checking the camera and laptop bags. But it’s just a regular entrance used for anyone with field and press passes.

But we were in, and up to the pressbox for festival seating, with nothing assigned for the first two days. We sat in the second row and found our spots for the day.

Got my cameras situated, laptop setup, and got everything stowed away. And was ready for the field.

The next section will just be the before/after tweets from each game. As there’s a myriad of things going on. With just small tidbits from each.

#91 – Jayton v. Oakwood

My first six-man game of the week. And one team I have always wanted to see. Jayton has an annual Gridiron Kickoff Classic in town with many six-man games I have been intending to attend for years. And covid was my last good season where I had planned to be here. And then that whole season disintegrated into chaos.

It was a quick game as Jayton won easily at halftime via the 45 rule, 54-8. During the game, I had made contact with the Sickos Committee, who had someone at the game. And to my surprise they followed me. So, in future tweets I started tagging them.

After the game, I had to stop by the press conference room to film the Jayton press conference. Though there’s 45 minutes minimum between games, this greatly squeezed a lot of time from my daily plays going forward. But not so much today with the early finish. After it was over, it was back upstairs, but without a stop at the ‘Treasure Room’ deep in the bowels of the stadium.

#92 – Whiteface v. Gordon

This was my first time seeing Whiteface. I had seen Gordon last year. And this was another early finish. Though it made it to halftime, I jokingly said the over/under was 20 seconds for the early finish. The under won, as Gordon scored just 15 seconds into the second half to push the score to 70-24 and the victory.

Back to the press room, and upstairs for dinner. Courtesy of the voucher given to media persons in the pressbox.

#93 – Muenster v. Shiner

I stayed upstairs for the first half of the third game. As I still was working on the photos. And had gotten the evening voucher.

This game was a great game. And I was downstairs for most of it. There was an issue on the sideline with one unruly team liaison, but aside from that, it was a fun game to capture. Muenster won, 36-29.

With the night game, I was back to my hotel to finish up some photos and back early in the morning for Day 2 of 4.

#94 – Stamford v. Ganado

I had seen Stamford before, but this was my first time seeing Ganado. Who hail from southeast Texas along US59 between Houston and Corpus Christi. I had been in the town once. And was cool to finally see them play.

This was a great game, that went to 3OT, and really strained the rest of the schedule for me. But Ganado came away winners, 30-28.

It was back upstairs after the postgame press conference. I had a lot of pictures to do of the close game, and not a lot of time to do it. So, I knew I’d be missing a good portion of the following game watching it from the pressbox.

#95 – Gunter v. Woodville

I didn’t seem to miss much. Gunter slowly and methodically pulled away in this one. It was my first time seeing Woodville, though. And disappointed they couldn’t make a game of it. Gunter would win, 28-0.

Again, upstairs and had dinner. I didn’t have a lot of time and I planned to be on the field for the entire third game of the day. Which would mean I had to get Game 2 photos finished immediately or they’d be carried over to the following morning.

The one annoying thing with the pressbox is that with cashless paymemnt, the venue now charges tax ON TOP of the listed price. Unlike most stadium venues that include the tax price. The $10 voucher the media members can be used only in the pressbox concession booth. Which is convenient. However, if you bought two or three things that total $10, you would then need to pay the tax on a credit card. Hence, the 41 cent charge.

#96 – Malakoff v. Columbus

Another new team, this was my first time seeing Columbus play. And honestly, it was expected to be a good game. Until Columbus just ran roughshod over the Tigers. But, I stayed on the field all game to watch the Cardinals from Columbus win, 48-14.

After the game, I did stop by Whataburger for a sandwich on the way back to the hotel. A double with cheese on Texas Toast. My go-to now that I know you can get any sandwich on Texas Toast instead of a bun.

The next day I was prepped and ready for the Carthage and Waco La Vega game. It was the top billing for me, on paper, and wanted to be on the field all game.

#97 – Carthage v. Waco La Vega

I had seen both teams many times before. The Carthage Bulldogs being a regular participant in the state finals. And Waco La Vega wasn’t too far behind them. It was close, but not that close. As Carthage won, 28-14.

After this game, it was upstairs. With little time, I was going to sit out the first half, or most, of the following game. Needed photos finished and finally caught up.

#98 – Celina v. Kilgore

Another couple teams I’ve seen before. With Kilgore being another team from East Texas that I’ve seen before, also named the Bullogs. First time I had seen them they were playing Carthage.

I went downstairs eventually, and caught some of the game, as Celina won comfortably, 55-21.

Upstairs again, freetime was becoming less free. I bought three chili dogs with the voucher, and quickly made my way through the photos to get caught up. Knowing I would miss the start of the third game up in the press box.

But it was a game I was very interested in. City school South Oak Cliff from Dallas was taking on first-timer, Richmond Randle. And I was looking forward to this one.

#99 – Dallas South Oak Cliff v. Richmond Randle

This was a back-and-forth game. South Oak Cliff the seasoned favorite at this point, against newcomer Randle. South Oak Cliff, or SOC as they’re commonly known, scored in the fourth quarter to take a 35-31 lead. But Randle answered with a kickoff return to reclaim the lead, 38-35. A nailbiter to the end, SOC lined up for a 45 yard field goal attempt on the last play of the game. But was no good. Giving Randle a win, 38-35.

After the game, it was back upstairs to finish breaking down all my equipment and packing my bags. Only one more day. And I wanted to be quick. Dropped my friends off at their hotel and then headed over to Whataburger to grab a sandwich. Then, back to the hotel and got packed up so I was ready to leave the following morning.

Saturday was also momentous as it was my 100th game of the 2025 season. Seeing two repeats, as Highland Park and Smithson Valley were not new for me. Seeing Smithson Valley in 2023, and seeing Highland Park many times before. Including the epic against Manvel that I still rank as the best game I’ve ever seen.

#100 – Dallas Highland Park v. Smithson Valley

I was on the field for this one, and it was good. As Smithson Valley avenged their title game loss to Aledo, 32-20 over Highland Park.

After the game, and postgame press conference, it was upstairs for some photo processing and a late lunch.

With the schedule I was keeping, I was spending the first half upstairs in the press box as the second game of the day–and–second to last of the season, started.

#101 – Southlake Carroll v. Austin Vandergrift

This was my first time seeing Austin Vandegrift play. I have seen Southlake Carroll four times previously. This was a good game and I did get to go down at halftime to handle the second half photography. Austin Vandegrift won, 24-17.

The season was winding to a close. And I had little time to get situated for the last game of the day. After getting the video processed and my camera gear situated, I headed out to the upper concourse for my last bit of photography.

I came up here last year, and really enjoyed the photos that turned out. This year I went up with Chris for some publicity-style photos overlooking the field, and then was alone through the start of the final game. The birds-eye view was one of the my favorite finds at Jerry World.

#102 – North Crowley v. Austin Westlake

I will admit, I was glad that this season I didn’t have another North Shore-Duncanville game to attend. As much as the first two were entertaining, and the first being an epic finish, I loved seeing new teams. And one of the best new teams I have seen in North Crowley. Team speed was all over the field. And Austin Westlake, who came in to the game as slight underdogs (34-28), but with the championship pedigree and were regular guests at AT&T Stadium. While North Crowley was making their first, though short, trip to the stadium for the finals. And North Crowley smoked them. Winning overwhelmingly, 50-21.

After I had got a decent amount of upper level photos, I made my way back across the stadium to the pressbox and then downstairs at halftime to get the second half of this game from the field.

I went back upstairs after the exuberant press conference, and gathered my things as the stadium started shutting down. A shadowy quietness in the stadium. Just watching as everyone was prepping for the next big gameday the stadium was hosting. The state championships over.

Walked out to my car, then took my friends to their hotel. And made a quick drive east through Dallas and followed I-30 northeast toward Texarkana. Stopping in Mount Vernon for the night.

On Sunday, I was just over 1100 miles from home. With a lot of determination. After just napping in the car at a truck stop, I was up early and went across the street and bought two Mexican Sprites in the glass bottles. Though expensive, they use real cane sugar and the taste is noticeable. With the sugar and some liquid in me, I started driving east to Arkansas.

Where I stopped at one of my usual restaurants along the route, the Ole Sawmill Cafe in Forrest City. It’s what Cracker Barrel could be if they had a buffet, and served more southern flavors.

Lots of ribs, chicken, and mac-n-cheese. They did not have corn on the cob, which was disappointing. But with tax and tip, the meal with sweet tea ran me $23. Not a huge amount for all-you-can-eat ribs. But worth it for the efficiency to get in and out of there fast. After the meal, I went across the highway to get gas for the second time on Sunday.

Back on the highway, it was I-40 east into Memphis and the Volunteer State. Circling around the unfinished stretch of 40 through town to the north, and continuing I-40 into Nashville and I-65 north toward Kentucky. I stopped at a Dollar General for some Milo’s and some road snacks. And then some gas in Franklin, Kentucky.

A nice long stretch without stopping from Franklin north to Louisville, around the 265 bypass, and I-71 north to Cincinnati. Crossing into Ohio just after 1am.

With a burst of energy, and a very efficient vehicle, I made it to the Sheetz in Lodi for my last fill-up of the season. Making my way home just before 6am. Emptied out my car, and was inside, laundry going, showered, and off to bed. 1,108 miles driven in just under 24 hours. 1,238 in under 30 hours if you’re counting leaving the stadium.

I’ve been doing this so many times over so many years. It always feels strange to be home at the end of the season. Still on that high of seeing the Texas finals, yet there’s nothing else for months and months and months.

ECONOMICS

This was a long weekend, and I drove 2,565 miles round trip to Arlington and back. For that, I spent $166.65 for gas. Food was another big expense, at $197.97. Spending it mostly on dinners at Chamos, On The Border, and Ole Sawmill Cafe. I spent 10.13 on miscellaneous items including toiletries at Walmart that I forgot to take with me. And the hotel from Tuesday to Saturday was just $225.59.

A grand total of $600.34. For seven days and 2,565 miles, that doesn’t see that bad.

I saw 9 new teams on the weekend. Including Jayton, Oakwood, Whiteface, Ganado, Woodville, Columbus, Richmond Randle, Austin Vandegrift, and North Crowley.