This video shows the points I make below. Click play or keep reading.

Your sports coverage can be presented in bold fashion on the front page or section front. the page below shows a sample sports page, but the centerpiece also can work on the front page.

In this more traditional package, the centerpiece above includes photos and information for four games. The biggest or most important game should get the biggest, most important play in the package.

Be sure to use a label atop the headline to inform readers. The label could show the teams and score, tournament name, conference info, etc.

The secondary headline and paragraph of info offer more information on the big game. Content promotions to more inside and online  fill out the right side of the package. Note how the text boxes are in alignment with the three pieces below. Keeping your information to a grid ensures a clean, cohesive package.

The  items at the bottom of the package give readers coverage of three more games out front, acting as content promotins to the stories inside. If your paper covers fewer local teams, reduce the number of elements at the bottom of the package.

This page below shows another front page option, this time in a deeper skybox presentation.

This example takes a lot of the same information as on the previous page, but condenses it to a 4-inch-deep skybox position.

Reducing the standard news hole to accommodate a deeper skybox is a great way to grab readers' attention with good local sports coverage.

The depth allows for a good sized action photo of the biggest game. The label, headline, subhead, scoreboard and other promtions also fit nicely in this condensed, top-of-page display.

If the tan color is too much, opt for a darker color that matches the photo for a more powerful presentation, such as this:

This optioin has the same information as the previous example. Here, though, the type is reversed agains a background color pulled from the photo.

What you should stay away from is cutting out the photo. Cutouts of players in the midst of action removes the subject from the context of the play and could look awkward. Check out the video for an example.

If you have questions about how to display your high school football coverage, or have pages you'd like to share, contact me at the address below.

Joe Greco is corporate design director for GateHouse Media.
Contact him at jgreco@gatehousemedia.com.