Sports posts
To me, sports posts are all about maximizing engagement. Candidly, they’re mostly about photography – that first photo needs to give students a reason to keep swiping, to type a comment, to repost on their stories. Making the posts is like a game: what will students like? What will open their eyes? What emotion does each photo elicit, and how can I capitalize on it? In keeping with this, the caption should be short and sweet, communicating important information about the game or occasion without being distracting. Though these aren’t the most important posts we make, my goal is always to use them to keep students engaged with our work, such that when we do create important content, they’re present to receive it.
A Triumphant Scream
Caption: Clarke Central High School senior Bella Yelton yells into a megaphone from the Billy Henderson Stadium stands during the varsity football team’s 37-36 comeback win over Oconee County High School on Aug. 23. Yelton was the leader of an all-red student section that cheered on the Gladiators during their comeback. “Gladiator Nation: this was a team effort and a team win, no individuals,” CCHS defensive coordinator Joshua Dawson said. “(That’s) the only way you can come back from that many points down.” Photos by Wyatt Meyer and Grady Dunston, story by Wyatt Meyer and Gillian Williams
Check out Sports Staffers Lydia Rowell and Gillian Williams’ coverage of the game on the ODYSSEY website or the link in bio!
This post used one of my favorite photos of the year, of a popular senior screaming on the varsity football team as they mounted a dramatic comeback against our cross-county rivals. Because the game was so emotionally positive, I knew we could get a lot of engagement by posting quickly. As such, I worked to get the post up that night, using the best photos from the game. The caption quote reinforced the message in the photos: team and crowd unity.
Rivalry Success
Caption: Clarke Central High School varsity football wide receiver Derrion Richardson, a senior, runs down the sideline during the 58th Classic City Championship in Billy Henderson Stadium on Aug. 15. CCHS defeated Cedar Shoals High School with a score of 42-3. “First half, everything (went right). Defense played great. We gave up one play, (but) the rest of the time we dominated them. We had good field position all night, (CCHS varsity football quarterback Hezekiah Millender) is pretty special. He made some great runs,” CCHS head varsity football coach David Perno said. Photos by Wyatt Meyer, story by Lea D’Angelo
Similar to the Oconee game, this one had added significance due to the rivalry between Clarke Central High School and Cedar Shoals High School. Unfortunately, however, due to upload issues, we couldn’t post the collection of photos until the next day, which meant some of the significance of the event went away. However, the collection of photos was still strong enough that it got decent engagement from the school community.
Playoff Heartbreak
Caption: The Clarke Central High School varsity football team exited the playoffs in a 69-48 loss to Houston County High School on Nov. 15 in Billy Henderson Stadium. The game ended the high school football careers of Gladiator seniors, but was only the first taste of the playoffs for players like sophomore wide receiver Lagracion Little. “We fought our hardest. We could have done better, but it is what it is and we just have to keep moving forward,” Little said. “Next year, it’s personal.” Photos by Wyatt Meyer and Grady Dunston, story by Wyatt Meyer
To see Viewpoints Staffer Sam Harwell’s coverage of the game, go to the ODYSSEY website or click the link in bio.
Since this game was about a playoff loss rather than a rivalry win, I knew the nature of the engagement we’d get would be different. Rather than capitalizing on good feelings and positive emotion, the straightforward sadness and ending of the season would drive the story and interaction with the audience. As such, the photos and caption focused on the emotion from the game, rather than the action, while the quote focused on hope for the future.
Hockey in the Classic City
Caption: The Athens Rock Lobsters defeated the Mississippi Seawolves 3-2 in a feisty, physical home debut at Akins Ford Arena on Dec. 13. The game was the Rock Lobsters’ first at home in the newly-opened Akins Ford Area. “I didn’t think we were as sharp, I didn’t think we moved the puck as well, but one thing: I thought we were physical,” Rock Lobsters head coach Steve Martinson said. “That helped us with the fans, and when the fans make noise, the players feel it.” Photos and story by Wyatt Meyer
Check out Editor-in-Chief Wyatt Meyer’s full photo gallery and game coverage with Sports Editor Cooper Jones on the ODYSSEY website!
There were a lot of events at this game, which made synthesizing them all into just 20 photos difficult. I knew the post wouldn’t have the same built-in appeal as many of our usual athletic content, since students weren’t automatically invested in a non-Gladiator hockey team. However, the story of the game was the community atmosphere, with most of the photos focusing on how the game brought people together. The quote from the team’s head coach reinforced that notion, speaking about the fan’s impact on the game.
Basketball program receives awards
Caption: Following the Clarke Central High School boys varsity basketball team’s 65-60 win over Winder Barrow High School in the Region 8-AAAAA Tournament final on Feb. 16, seven Gladiators received accolades for their performance in the 2023-24 season. Power forward A.J. Lonon, a sophomore, who was an Honorable Mention for Region 8-AAAAA Team of the Year, believes he can still elevate his game. “It feels really good knowing that I had an effect within our team,” Lonon said. “Staying in the weight room and building my endurance is all important, but being consistent with that is what will really take me to the next level.” Photos by Aza Khan, Lucas Donnelly and Wyatt Meyer, graphic and story by Wyatt Meyer
This post was definitely non-traditional, but I wanted to highlight the varsity basketball team’s award recipients in a visually appealing way. As such, I went for a bulletin-board effect, using small cutouts to frame photos we’d taken of each player throughout the season. Each heading, written in the ODYSSEY’s branded sports font, gave context to the award. The post required a lot of time and effort, but on the back end, was rewarded with much engagement than posts in which award winners are simply listed at the bottom of the caption, making it more rewarding.