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By Jordan Tracy
For the Mirror
I'm not going to lie to you, Central PA: I certainly miss it.
For the past eight years, the summer winding down meant another season of District 5, 6 and 9 football for me at WTAJ.
As I scroll through X and see all of the faces and names of football in the 814 preparing for a new season, it reminds me of how different it will be.
The posts shift from weight room sessions, 7-on-7 recaps, and seniors announcing their commitments to the next level, to now season schedules and where you can get copies of the Mirror's Blitz magazine.
Typically at this time, all I'd be thinking about is football and how to bring the best version of SportsBeat to the folks at home.
Can I make it to more games?
Who's here on Saturday to get to Claysburg's homecoming?
Is there a way to highlight more athletes?
Do we think Bill Griffith will let me drive to my games in the Dragon Wagon?
The answer to the last question is an obvious yes, by the way.
As hectic as Friday nights are and how sleepless the days are leading up to it, there is not a part of it I won't miss.
Of course the big games, the crazy talent, the sound of the bands and playoff football. That's the obvious stuff.
It's the little things I'll miss the most.
I'll miss:
n The sirens and "Stampede coming" when Richland scores at home.
n Getting to Mansion Park early enough to chat with security and the folks checking in the media.
n Seeing Phil Riccio's sportsmanship guidelines and that sharp maroon blazer.
n Referees on the sideline catching a glimpse of my camera and saying "make sure to get my good side!"
n Nicknames like "best name in the game" and "T-Sizzle."
n Chatting up my fellow photographers at Tiger Stadium.
n How Northern Bedford has reserved media parking.
n Weirdly, I'll miss how the Juniata Valley Hornet costume slightly scares me.
Last year I attended more practices than ever before.
That included: Getting the chance to watch a legend like John Franco work behind the scenes; talking football with Coach Nick Felus as the sun sets behind the mountain; having Bellwood-Antis' Nick Lovrich and Central's A.J. Hoenstine both tell me "don't film this part" when they are trying something new; seeing Bill Musser motivate his young Juniata Valley team to push past expectations; and State High's Matt Lintal playing scout team QB for his squad. He's still got it, folks.
What I'll miss the most is the team I worked with.
Some nights I'd send them to the wrong stadiums. A lot of nights would be stressful and down to the wire. But they gave up their Friday nights to Central PA, the best show to recap the night on the gridiron, some of them not even getting a slice of newsroom pizza.
I can't wait to see how the teams do this year.
One positive about being out of the mix is that I can finally be a fan.
I may be out in Utah where the mountains are a tad different, but I will be turning that dial to WTAJ at 11:10 eastern time to see who is the next "bad, bad man!"
It's a new season in Central PA. Let's make it the very best.
Jordan Tracy is now an anchor/reporter at ABC4 in Salt Lake City, Utah.