Chili Bowl lives up to it's name

Yes, it was a chili night on Friday for the Chili Bowl between the Normal Community Ironmen and the Normal West Wildcats.  The temps were in the low 60's and there was a pretty good breeze blowing in from the north at Normal West High School's football field.  The effects were evidently felt more by the Wildcats than the Iron.  The Iron stormed ahead in the first half, but the Wildcats stayed in the game with a couple of pretty solid drives.  In the end, it wasn't enough for the hosts with the Iron taking the game and the Chili Bowl.

 - Chimper



20150911 Chili Bowl - NCHS at NCWHS football photos - Images by Alan Look

Friday fizzled out.

The high temperatures and humidity across the mid section of the country spawned isolated storms on Friday night.  Although some rain fell in the area, the biggest problem locally for football games was the lightning.  Many area schools saw their games suspended because of the electric atmosphere.  Normal West playing in Collinsville, Normal Community and Bloomington both playing at home and Heyworth were all subject to the suspensions.  One report tells of more severe thunderstorms to the east affecting the Champaign - Urbana area, Danville and into west central Indiana.

Play did get started at the Heyworth game.  Heyworth hosted the Falcons of Flanagan, Cornell, Woodland.  The Falcons started the game kicking to the Hornets and defending the north end zone. Brandon Day accepted the kickoff for the Hornets and made a good run up the field.  He followed it shortly after moving the ball much closer to the goal.  After a too high pass to Skyler Cox in the corner of the end zone, the Hornets kept the ball on the ground with runs by Keith Hickenbottom and eventually one by Matt Schultz for the first score of 6 points. A 2 point conversion ensued on a keeper run to his right by quarterback Jacob Day.

The game suspended shortly after with the Hornets in the lead 8-0

 - Chimper

20150904 Flanagan-Cornell-Woodland Falcons at Heyworth Hornets football photos - Images by Alan Look

#IHSA, #IHSAFOOTBALL, #HEYWORTHHORNETS #FLANAGANFALCONS #HEYWORTH #FLANAGAN #CORNELL #WOODLAND #ALANLOOKPHOTOGRAPHY

2015 high school football season arrives

Friday night August 28th was the first night for IHSA football games.  Our usually list to pick from was a little smaller this year than others as the home game schedules only had 3 playing in McLean County.  The schedules are a bit tighter this year with Lexington joining the Ridgeview/Blue Ridge partnership.  We hear it was a numbers decision associated with potential players and not a financial situation.  What ever the reason, it is good to see that those who want to play and the administrators found a way to make it happen.  The Ridgeview/Blue Ridge/Lexington team we believe is still known as the Mustangs.  They played the Fisher Bunnies at Fisher on opening night.  We hope to cover them soon.

Our pick placed us in LeRoy with the Panthers hosting the GCMS Falcons of Gibson City - Melvin - Sibley high school.  The Falcons seemed to have the edge early and I believe they won (we had to leave in the 3rd quarter for another commitment), but the Panthers held their own.  The game was 7-6 Falcons in the lead as we headed for the bus.  The announcer yelled touchdown as we were loading gear, but we didn't hear who it was.

Enjoy the photos!  Check out the Normalite, LeRoy Leader and Best Look Magazine for more images from Alan Look Photography as the issues are published.

 - Chimper -



20150828 Gibson City Melvin Sibley (GCMS) Falcons at LeRoy Panthers football photos - Images by Alan Look

#IHSA #IHSAFOOTBALL #GCMS #LEROY #GCMSFALCONS #LEROYPANTHERS

August 2015 - Volume 4 Issue 3

Now available online - viewing and electronic downloads are free, but grab a copy of the printed edition.  It really pops!

Best Look Magazine, Volume 4 Issue 3, August 2015

By Alan Look in Best Look Magazine

32 pages, published 8/15/2015

Best Look Magazine August 2014 Volume 4 Issue 3 - Number 13

May 2015 Issue released

Best Look Magazine, Volume 4 Issue 2, May 2015

By Alan Look in Best Look Magazine

32 pages, published 5/15/2015

May 2015 Issue of Best Look Magazine

Need something to do on Memorial Day weekend?  Ever been to the Middle East Conflicts Memorial Wall in Marseilles Illinois?  It is a special place right along the Illinois River.  It is a first rate memorial and a solemn place to pay your respects to those who have made the freedom we experience possible.  Our cover and a story are dedicated to it.  Take a peek, this one is all funded by donations...

Other items in this issue are the basketball wrap-ups for the Illinois State Redbird and Illinois Wesleyan Titans men and womens teams, the runs to state by the Central Catholic girls and the boys teams from Normal Community and Ridgeview.  It's Official is back and there are a coupe of pieces on the Chicago Skyline and Christian Stoniev.

Thanks in advance for taking a peek at our publication and supporting our advertisers!

Alan

May 2015 issue a week out

One short week before the May 2015 issue is available for viewing and purchase.  In this issue, the cover story deals with the men and women of the US Armed Services that have lost their lives overseas fighting for our freedoms.  Other coverage will include the 2015 Chicago Auto Show, a wrap up on area basketball for the 2014-15 season, a local entertainer, the It's Official page and a couple of other features.

Mark your calendar and come by in a week to see the rest!

Torrey Ward & Aaron Leetch

It's been a very long and sad day for most everyone in Central Illinois today.  Waking up to the news that a small plane crashed a couple miles short of the airport in the dense fog and the suspense till the names of the 7 people killed in the crash was enough to wear one down very early.  Then hearing the names about lunch time, just seemed to take all the wind from the sail.  The dreary day just became gloom.

I sit back of the baseline for most every Illinois State Redbirds men's basketball game.  I have been for 15 years.  Knowing that most don't really like a camera in their face, I normally just do my job while keeping my distance.  People see me, I see them, we probably even recognize each other away from the arena.  It was no different with Torrey and Aaron.  I don't remember even getting the chance to say hello to Torrey.  I probably did to Aaron as he would have moved around the arena more.  I don't really recall.

With Torrey, one always knew when he was near the court.  He dressed impeccably, and usually had at least one player with him.  The respect for him just transcended the commotion.  Today, I saw a couple images of him where he was actually leaning into the court shouting something.  I didn't see that a lot.  He appeared to always be calm, cool and gentlemanly.  I'll miss seeing him on the court.

Aaron, worked behind the scenes.  Much of what you see around ISU Athletics is due in part to his greatness at his job.  He energized the community and the businesses and got everyone behind the 'Birds.  I'll recognize more of those efforts now that he is gone, wondering always which may not have happened had he not been on the job.



Torrey Ward photos - Images by Alan Look
 - Chimper