This time of year, I wish I could be cloned so there could be at least three of me.
For some of you, the thought of one Randy Dickson is frightening enough, but let's face it, if we could split my molecular structure — allowing me to be multiple places at once — I could cover a lot more games and do a lot more stories.
Last Friday night was a perfect example of when I really needed — and wanted — to be in two places at once.
Baker School’s football team opened District 1-1A play at Freeport in a big game for the Gators. At the same time, Crestview High School’s football team hosted Leon for the Homecoming game.
Covering the Baker-Freeport game was a no-brainer: It was a district game, and Baker was looking to improve to 5-0 on the season. Additionally, Freeport is considered somewhat of a local team and is probably the Gators’ second biggest rival behind Jay.
I understand that many parents and students look at Homecoming as a big game, but it's more of an event. The game itself between the Bulldogs and Leon only mattered in the win and loss column. There were no district implications in the game, so it was an easy pass.
Deciding to cover Crestview's football game at Pine Forest this week was even easier. I know the drive to Pensacola and Pine Forest; I'd need my GPS to find North Bay Haven Charter, where Baker plays Friday.
Next week I'll cover the Tate at Crestview game when the school honors the 2013 inductees into the Crestview High School Sports Hall of Fame. The game is one of two District 1-7A games for the Bulldogs, and the only home district game.
Even with all of that working in Crestview's favor, it wasn't easy to pass on the Baker game. The Gators are hosting District 1-1A rival Jay. On top of that, the state championship teams from 1983 and 1993 will be honored.
I know Baker fans will be upset that I'll be at Crestview. And, if I had decided to go to Baker, I would have upset Crestview supporters.
Sometimes coaches and fans joke with me that I never cover their team or that I don't cover their team enough. And they are correct that I'm not at all of their games or matches — but I until they come up with a way to clone me, I'll continue to weigh each game and the importance it has for the team as opposed to other games being played at the same night.
And the thing is football seasons the easy one as I only have to deal with two high school teams. Things get tougher as basketball and soccer seasons arrive next month, and I have three girls basketball teams, three boys basketball teams and two boys and girls soccer teams. On any given night, there's a possibility of five teams having home games at the same time.
Now if only we could get that clone machine working.
Randy Dickson is the Crestview News Bulletin’s sports editor. Email him at randyd@crestviewbulletin.com, tweet him @BigRandle, or call 682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SIDELINE OBSERVATIONS: If only I could be cloned