Orem wide receiver Puka Nacua poses for a portrait Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018, at Orem High School. A senior, Nacua scored 26 touchdowns this year and broke Utah's state record for the most touchdowns in a single high school season.

Sports reigned supreme in November, especially football near the end of the month.

The Utah high school football state tournament was especially full of Utah County teams this year, resulting in a whole lot of time walking along sidelines and kneeling as I shot teams make their championship runs. Of the three divisional championship games "our" teams were in, two schools came away with titles (I also learned that I could indeed shoot three football games in a row that day). Brigham Young University's football team also had two games, including their "Holy War" matchup with their rival to the north, the University of Utah Utes. Basketball seasons (both high school and college) got underway, and I'm excited to switch to a new crop of sports to fill up my evenings. (My apologizes for the oversized vertical photos if you're viewing this on a desktop, Samexhibit is difficult to format for more natural-sized verticals.)

Disregarding sports, November was still a busy month. Midterm elections stood out as the most exciting news event in a month where I shot more press conferences and news events than usual. Portraits also popped up here and there. I always enjoy switching gears from the candid photography, busting out the lights, exploring my environment for different angles, and collaborating with the subject to make something neat. Feature assignments were few and far between this month.

As the end of 2018 nears, things in the photojournalism community begin to ramp up. Newspaper assignments get squeezed in before Christmastime, photo contests begin opening soon, and photographers begin to look back on their year of work. Though I'm not exactly looking forward to reading loads of contest rules and formatting photos to fit said rules, looking through my photos from the past year brings back so many fond memories, and reminds me that I am so lucky to be able to do what I do. I'm looking to wrap up my personal rodeo project in December, and I hope to finish out the year with a bang (or, at least a few more satisfying photos).

Orem running back Trevor Rockey (14) is downed just short of the goal line by Dixie defenders during the 4A football state championship game between the Orem Golden Tigers and the Dixie Flyers held Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

American Fork middle linebacker Tanner Vickers (52) celebrates with his teammates after the Cavemen defeated the Bingham Miners in overtime during a 6A state semifinal game Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

Bri Tallent, of Orem, talks with a customer at a Bath & Body Works retail store during Black Friday shopping Friday, Nov. 23, 2018, at University Place in Orem.

Fraser Macfarlane, of Highland, browses different retail stores as he and other shoppers walk about during Black Friday shopping Friday, Nov. 23, 2018, at University Place in Orem.

Lone Peak guard Jared Burton (1) is fouled on his shot by Timpanogos' Trey Anderson (5), but Burton makes the shot and the following foul shot during a game between the Timpanogos Timberwolves and the Lone Peak Knights as part of the Utah Valley Tip-Off Classic held Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018, at the UCCU Center in Orem.

Members of the Provo Interfaith Choir read through a song as they sing together during a rehearsal Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, at the Community Congregational United Church of Christ in Provo.

Ken Bona, 79, a U.S. Marine veteran and member of American Legion Post 72, poses for a portrait Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, in Orem. This and the following photo are part of a quick portrait series I did on veterans and their post-war service for a feature for one of the Herald's "Everyday Hero" stories. More portraits from the series can be seen here: provodh.com/7en3l 

Allan Anderson, 86, a U.S. Marine veteran and member of American Legion Post 72, poses for a portrait Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, in Orem.

Lone Peak wide receiver Shawn Wood (14) reacts after officials ruled his catch in the end zone incomplete during the 6A football state championship game between the Lone Peak Knights and the American Fork Cavemen held Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

Utah Valley Wolverines head coach Mark Pope reacts after an official's call during a game between Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University held Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, at the Marriott Center in Provo.

Justin Withers, center left, of Dominion Energy, Rod Martin, center right, owner of World Class Auto Repair, and others discuss hypothetical plans for the development of Utah County during the Valley Visioning event Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018, at Utah Valley University in Orem.

New Mexico State Aggies quarterback Josh Adkins (14) slides as Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Sione Takitaki (16) jumps to try and down him during a game between Brigham Young University and New Mexico State University held Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.

Utah Utes wide receiver Jaylen Dixon (25) stiff arms Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi (53) as Dixon runs the ball upfield during a game between Brigham Young University and the University of Utah held Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

Shireen Ghorbani, Democratic candidate for Utah's 2nd Congressional District, dances after giving her concession speech during an election-night watch party held by the Utah Democratic Party on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City.

Mark Morrison, a woodshop teacher at Pleasant Grove High School as well as a coach for the school's cross country and track teams, poses for a portrait in the school's woodshop Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. Morrison creates medal-hanging plaques out of wood for all of the runners he coaches.

Jamie Brooker cleans the Revolutionary War era clothing worn by her son, Parley, 8, after he got some ice cream on it as they and others prepare the parlor at Brooker's Founding Flavors Ice Cream on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, in Vineyard. The ice cream parlor opened to the public on Saturday.

Orem wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) reacts after his touchdown reception was broken up by a Dixie defender during the 4A football state championship game between the Orem Golden Tigers and the Dixie Flyers held Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

American Fork wide receiver Chase Roberts (27) runs a deep catch toward the end zone for a touchdown while guarded by Lone Peak outside linebacker Chase Tucker (20) during the 6A football state championship game between the Lone Peak Knights and the American Fork Cavemen held Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

Brigham Young Cougars running back Lopini Katoa (4) picks grass from his facemask after making a big play and being tackled during a game between Brigham Young University and New Mexico State University held Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.

Brigham Young Cougars running back Matt Hadley (2) celebrates his touchdown with his teammates during a game between Brigham Young University and the University of Utah held Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

Former Brigham Young University football player Shea Boone, of South Jordan, watches another football game during pregame festivities before a game between Brigham Young University and the University of Utah, a matchup dubbed the "Holy War", on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, outside of Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

Lone Peak defensive end Michael Daley (45) hoists up the championship trophy as he celebrates with his teammates after the Knights defeated the American Fork Cavemen in 6A football state championship game Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

Orem wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) shouts as he celebrates with his teammates after their victory over the Dixie Flyers in the 4A football state championship game Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

Orem running back Noah Sewell (2) hurdles Dixie free safety Harrison Beazer (47), but officials called a penalty during the play, in the 4A football state championship game between the Orem Golden Tigers and the Dixie Flyers held Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.