On the sidelines and baselines of high school sports I see a ton of photographers & video makers. Most are kids and parents of the schools they are filming, but if a team has a big enough star, more than a few are what I’d call tourists. Even though I’ve been working for various news publications over the years and have a journalism degree with cutlines from three-decades to back me up, I myself still feel like a tourist on those sidelines and i’m grateful for the access my cameras and press-credentials grant me.
These photos are my snapshots from a job that sometimes feels like a vacation.
So, if you follow me on Twitter/X you’ve probably seen some of my “Postcards from…” photos. This page is a special insert from my travels this past weekend to Normal for the IHSA football state finals at ISU’s Hancock Stadium.
Enjoy. Vincent D. Johnson
Postcards from 1A
Camp Point Central’s Brad Dixon, gets a teary-eyed hug from his father Dennis Dixon as the final seconds of the game tick down sealing a 14-0 win over Lena-Winslow in the Class 1A state championship game at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium in Normal on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. Camp Point Central players take the field against Lena-Winslow in the Class 1A state championship game at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium in Normal on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. Sporting shorts in 30-degree weather, Camp Point Central’s head coach Brad Dixon stands on the sideline in the final minute of the Class 1A state championship game, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023.Panther nation celebrates as Camp Point Central wins the Class 1A state championship game, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023.
Wilmington on a kickoff in the Class 2A state championship game, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. Wilmington cheerleaders during the golden hour at the Class 2A state championship game, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. Instant replay. Wilmington players hold up their state championship trophy after beating Athens 28-3 in the Class 2A state championship game at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium in Normal on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023.In the fading sunlight Wilmington players walk off the field at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium after winning the Class 2A state championship game in Normal on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023.
“Block that kick” Byron vs. Mt. Carmel in the Class 3A state championship game at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium in Normal on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. “Make some noise!” Byron vs Mt. Carmel in the Class 3A state championship game at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium in Normal on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. “it was cold.” Byron vs. Mt. Carmel in the Class 3A state championship game at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium in Normal on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023.
Rochester band tuba player at the Class 4A state championship game at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium in Normal on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023.Pumped-up St. Laurence fans at the Class 4A state championship game at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium in Normal on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. “State Champs” Rochester fans at the Class 4A state championship game at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium in Normal on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. St. Laurence’s head coach Adam Nissen comforts senior Connor Cleary (22) as the Vikings wait to receive their runner-up trophy after falling to Rochester in the Class 4A state championship game at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium in Normal on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023.
Nazareth Academy’s Trenton Walker (19) gets a lift from Christian Malachuk (76) after scoring on a 4-yard pass to help the Roadrunners go up 30-20 against Joliet Catholic in the Class 5A state championship game at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium in Normal on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.First down marker, Joliet Catholic vs. Nazareth in the Class 5A state championship game at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium in Normal on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. .Nazareth Academy’s Jaden Fauske (3) climbs up into the stands after beating Joliet Catholic in the Class 5A state championship game at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium in Normal on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.
Cary-Grove players walk past the field during the 5A state final game at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium in Normal on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. Historic looking light falls over Hancock Stadium as Cary-Grove East St. Louis play in the Class 6A state championship game at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium in Normal on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. Beautiful late day fall sunlight bathes the field at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium during the the Class 6A state championship game between Cary-Grove East St. Louis in Normal on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. Tears of joy, as Cary-Grove’s Ian Moran (41) & Brady Elbert (28) celebrate their win over East St. Louis in the Class 6A state championship game at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium in Normal on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.
Flags out, during the IHSA Class 7A state finals game between Mount Carmel and Downers Grove North at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium in Normal on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. Thumbs up. Downers Grove North sideline signals during the IHSA Class 7A state championship game at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium in Normal on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. Coach ’em up. Mount Carmel’s assistant coach Mark Antonietti reviews plays on the sideline with the team during the IHSA Class 7A state finals game against Downers Grove North at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium in Normal on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. Upload. The Caravan media team send out live updates on the sidelines of the IHSA Class 7A state championship game between Mount Carmel and Downers Grove North from Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium in Normal on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.
Front row seats. Members of the Loyola Academy football team get clear view of the Class 7A state final game before playing in their own title match later against Lincoln-Way East at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium in Normal on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. Nothing to see here folks. Keep walking. Coaches from Loyola Academy seem oblivious to the dousing of the head coach going on behind them during the final minute of the IHSA Class 8A state championship game at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium in Normal on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. Loyola’s head coach Beau Desherow hugs Joe Kelly, while waiting to receive the school’s second championship trophy in a row after defeating Lincoln-Way East in the Class 8A state championship game at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium in Normal on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.
