Following is a selection of images of middle school, freshman and jayvee football taken during the 2010 season in the Fort Worth, Texas suburb of Keller.  Dramatized in the TV show Friday Night Lights, Texas high school football is as big as the state itself.  Nothing less  is  true with the feeder systems that prepare the inexperienced athletes for the main attraction.  Despite being several years younger and many pounds lighter than their millionaire professional idols, the players have the look and swagger of their heroes, hoping to impress their coaches so they can move up to the varsity level when the time comes.  Here the intensity, pressure to perform and sophistication of play take no back seat to what they will experience as they move up the ranks. The images were originally produced as color digital files and then converted to black and white to project a grittier, nostalgic feel of the bygone days of traditional film-based sports photography. 




A quarterback warms up before the game under the coaching staff's watchful eye.

 


A player psyches himself before kickoff.





Coin flip:  Call it in the air!

 


A tackler pays a high price in stopping an opponent.





A tackler leaves his feet and forces a loose ball.






A player keeps watch out as his quarterback launches a pass.






A trio of players break through the line in an attempt to block an extra-point try.

 



Players are congratulated by their coach while leaving the field after a successful defensive stand.

 



Pinched by a teammate and defender, a pass receiver makes an acrobatic catch.






A defender has his focus on the ball as it is snapped.

 



Perspiration glistens on a the head of a player during a break in the action.

 



Two on one?






A player cradles the ball as he catches a touchdown pass infront a cheering coach and team.

 



A defender zeroes in on a pass receiver trying to corral the ball.

 




Gang tackle:  A runner struggles against the forces or several tacklers.

 



Attitude: A player leads his team onto the field with determination.

 



Players wait in huddle formation as the quarterback checks his playlist cheat-sheet after taking the sign from his coaches on the sideline.

 



Standoff:  Opposing linemen struggle to gain the upper hand.






Jayvee cheerleaders emplore the fans' support with no less vigor as their varsity counterparts.

 




A player crosses the goal line despite the valiant efforts of a trailing defender.

 



A player rests between assignments on the field.





Defenders celebrate the sack of an opposing player.






The ball escapes the grasps of opposing players.




Players huddle around their coaches to receive their verbal report card at game's end.