Football Season Begins

I photographed two football camps, the Class AA Buford Wolves and the Class AAAA Miller Grove Wolverines, for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Monday, August 1, 2011. Football season is almost here and nothing signifies this fact more than a majority of the football programs in the metro Atlanta area starting camp on the same day. These are my favorite images from the assignments.

Buford's Brandon Brinson stays low as he closes in on a tackle pad during football practice on Monday, Aug. 1, 2011. Monday marks the first day of football camps across the metro Atlanta area.

 

Buford head coach Jess Simpson (left) walks through plays with his players during football practice on Monday, Aug. 1, 2011. Buford has won four straight Class AA state championships. Monday marks the first day of football camps across the metro Atlanta area.

 

Buford's Matthew Staples (left) collides with Xavier Jackson as coach Dicky May watches during a drill at football practice on Monday, Aug. 1, 2011. Monday marks the first day of football camps across the metro Atlanta area.

 

Buford quarterback Sam Clay (5) hands the ball off to the outstretched arms of coach Neal Auer during a drill at football practice on Monday, Aug. 1, 2011. Monday marks the first day of football camps across the metro Atlanta area.

 

Buford's Andre Johnson (center) stretches as coach Bryant Appling walks the line of players at the start of football practice on Monday, Aug. 1, 2011. Monday marks the first day of football camps across the metro Atlanta area.

 

Buford coach Kevin Reddy watches practice on Monday, Aug. 1, 2011. Monday marks the first day of football camps across the metro Atlanta area.

 

Buford's Michael Lane (1) tries to break a tackle by Thomas Wilson (21) during football practice on Monday, Aug. 1, 2011. Monday marks the first day of football camps across the metro Atlanta area.

 

Buford's C.J. Moore (right) puts on gloves as his teammates gather outside of the field house before the start of football practice on Monday, Aug. 1, 2011. Monday marks the first day of football camps across the metro Atlanta area.

 

Buford's Tyler Burge (51) lifts up a blocking dummy during football practice on Monday, Aug. 1, 2011. Monday marks the first day of football camps across the metro Atlanta area.

 

Buford's Korie Rogers (34) runs through a drill during football practice on Monday, Aug. 1, 2011. Monday marks the first day of football camps across the metro Atlanta area.

 

Miller Grove's Quintavious Newton (1) holds onto the ball as he runs through a gauntlet during football practice on Monday, Aug. 1, 2011. Monday marks the first day of football camps across the metro Atlanta area.

 

Miller Grove's Demarion Tankersley (24) runs through a tire drill as coach Darrell Smith watches during football practice on Monday, Aug. 1, 2011. Monday marks the first day of football camps across the metro Atlanta area.

 

Miller Grove quarterback Ken Allen (6) steps back to throw the ball during football practice on Monday, Aug. 1, 2011. Monday marks the first day of football camps across the metro Atlanta area.

 

Miller Grove's J'Terius Brown (39) strides down the field as he warms up with the team during football practice on Monday, Aug. 1, 2011. Monday marks the first day of football camps across the metro Atlanta area.

 

Miller Grove's Dearius Carter (right) sits in ready position during football practice on Monday, Aug. 1, 2011. Monday marks the first day of football camps across the metro Atlanta area.

 

Miller Grove's Demetrius Greenwood collides with the block during football practice on Monday, Aug. 1, 2011. Monday marks the first day of football camps across the metro Atlanta area.

 

Miller Grove's head coach Damien Wimes gives instruction on the field during football practice on Monday, Aug. 1, 2011. Monday marks the first day for football camps across the metro Atlanta area.

 

Miller Grove's football team huddles up on the ball as rain starts to fall during practice on Monday, Aug. 1, 2011. Monday marks the first day of football camps across the metro Atlanta area