Updated Dec 11, 2012 @ 05:24 PM
For several years now, one Sunday early in December I spend at Carnie Smith Stadium covering a junior college football bowl game. The weather is usually not very nice and seems to rain quite a bit or it is just really cold out. Usually, it is both, since it is December in Kansas after all. The point is that you need to prepare for all of this. Well, not this year, it was a great day to be outside covering the 2012 edition of the Citizens Bank Bowl between Northeastern Oklahoma A&M out of Miami and the Chaparrals of the College of DuPage (Ill.). I enjoyed covering this game for the same reason I liked covering Division II football when I first moved to Pittsburg (I still do, but it is different now). The reason is because these two teams are new to me. NEO is not far down the road from here, but I had not covered them before. Plus these junior college athletes are really good and I would think that many will have a chance to play for Division I and II teams next year. Several years ago I photographed Cam Newton in this game. The game this year was very competitive and the weather was perfect as was the light. I had a great time. To top it all off, after the trophy was handed out, the DuPage team took off running to the Pittsburg State University Lake next door and leaped in as part of their celebration. I personally have not seen a team do that before and so it again was something new and different and it can't help but make for good photo opportunities. It was a great day at the stadium if you ask me. Plus I was warm this year, always a bonus. I have added a link below to a photo gallery with images from the game and celebration.
http://www.morningsun.net/photos/x35747543/Football-2012-Citizens-Bank-Bowl?page=0
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Members of the College of DuPage (Ill.) Chaparrals football team leap into the Pittsburg State University Lake next to Carnie Smith Stadium in celebration of their 42-29 Citizens Bank Bowl victory over Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Sunday afternoon.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
DuPage (Ill.) defensive back Jaylan Bailey intercepts a NEO A&M pass Sunday afternoon in the Citizens Bank Bowl at Brandenburg Field/Carnie Smith Stadium. Bailey secured control of the ball away from NEO receiver Tre Stearns, who scored a pair of TDs on Sunday, and returned it 56 yards for a touchdown and 28-14 lead en route to a 42-29 win for DuPage.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
College of DuPage defensive lineman Nicholes Johnson maintains his grasp on the jersey of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M running back Gerald Howse while bringing him down Sunday during the 2012 Citizens Bank Bowl at Carnie Smith Stadium.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
NEO A&M sophomore quarterback Clayton Mitchem rushes 18 yards for the first points of the game Sunday afternoon in the Citizens Bank Bowl. Mitchem finished with 94 yards rushing and 234 yards passing, accounting for over 300 total yards and three TDs, including two scores to receiver Tre Stearns.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
College of DuPage defensive lineman Derrick Rodgers gets pressure on Northeastern Oklahoma A&M quarterback Clayton Mitchem Sunday during the the 2012 Citizens Bank Bowl at Carnie Smith Stadium.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
After fumbling the kickoff, returner Johnny Holton gathered up the ball and raced 88-yards for a touchdown Sunday against Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in the 2012 Citizens Bank Bowl at Carnie Smith Stadium in Pittsburg.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M quarterback Clayton Mitchem scrambles out of the pocket Sunday against the College of DuPage in the 2012 Citizens Bank Bowl at Carnie Smith Stadium in Pittsburg.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
College of DuPage quarterback Patrick Ivy looks down field for a reciever Sunday against Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in the 2012 Citizens Bank Bowl at Carnie Smith Stadium in Pittsburg.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M receiver Alverey Braxton goes up high to bring in a reception Sunday afternoon against the College of DuPage in the 2012 Citizens Bank Bowl at Carnie Smith Stadium in Pittsburg.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
College of DuPage runningback Tyreis Thomas breaks into the open field during a carry Sunday against Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in the 2012 Citizens Bank Bowl at Carnie Smith Stadium in Pittsburg. Thomas was the games offensive MVP with 102 yards rushing and 30 yards receiving.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M runningback Tre Stearns points to his image on the Jungletron while taking a reception 44-yards for a touchdown Sunday afternoon against the College of DuPage in the 2012 Citizens Bank Bowl at Carnie Smith Stadium in Pittsburg.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
College of DuPage defensive back Jaylan Bailey returns an interception for a touchdown Sunday against Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in the 2012 Citizens Bank Bowl at Carnie Smith Stadium in Pittsburg.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M runningback Casey Curtis weaves his way through a wall of lineman Sunday afternoon against the College of DuPage in the 2012 Citizens Bank Bowl at Carnie Smith Stadium in Pittsburg.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M linebacker Jon Bullock urges on his teammates Sunday afternoon against the College of DuPage in the 2012 Citizens Bank Bowl at Carnie Smith Stadium in Pittsburg.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Members of the College of DuPage football team take turns kissing the 2012 Citizens Bank Bowl trophy Sunday after a 42-29 victory over Northeastern Oklahoma A&M at Carnie Smith Stadium.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Members of the College of DuPage (Ill.) Chaparrals football team hold up the 2012 Citizens Bank Bowl trophy in celebration Sunday after defeating the Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Golden Norsemen 42-29 at Brandenburg Field/Carnie Smith Stadium.
