Point of View: A photo essay of the 2025 season | Part II

Photographer Jeff Bennett shares his perspective of the 2025 season as he breaks down five of his favorite photos.

Local rivalries

Exhilarated after a game-winning interception, the Virgin Valley High School football team held a small hammer in the air, the trophy for winning the "Hammer Game." Family, friends and classmates surround the team as they jumped up and down after a come-from-behind victory that gave the Bulldogs a league championship and a No.1 seed going into the playoffs.

Covering a rivalry game is always fun, but the Hammer Game between Virgin Valley and Moapa Valley was something special. A rivalry dating back to 1926, fans from both teams fill the stadium to cheer their team on. This year, it was a last second interception that sent the Virgin Valley fans crazy and onto the field. Give me that over an NFL game any day.

A day of joy

A smile beamed across Jade's face as the song APT. began to play. Just moments earlier, she taught Raiderettes Amanda and Cierra a TikTok dance and now they were going to perform it with her. Jade is one of three cancer survivors from Intermountain Children's Health that got the chance to spend the day hanging out with Raiders players and Raiderettes.

These three kids have faced so much adversity at such a young age that it was great to see them forgot about everything for a day. Their faces were full of excitement and wonder as they entered the building to watch practice and they flashed giant smiles while surrounded by players, getting autographs and talking with them. These are the moments that are fun to shoot – and ones the kids won't forget any time soon.

Community connections

The air was filled with kids' excited screams on a hot Sunday morning in August as the emcee announced Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell to the crowd of local youth. Their hands reached out for high-fives as O'Connell raced down line to join his teammates. This wasn't a typical back to school haircut experience for 50 local students who took part in the Raiders' 4th annual Back-To-School Free Haircuts and Beautician Services. This was something more.

During the football season, players' schedules are packed with practices, meetings and games, leaving them little time to relax or be with their families. And on this Sunday, it wasn't just checking off a box for these players who braved the heat staying past their slotted time to play games and talk with the kids. With little time to themselves during the season, it's great to see players using it to give back to the community.

Halftime sights

As the drum major's hands dropped, the football field at Clark High School roared with the sound of the marching band. The Las Vegas Strip glowed behind the band as they played just minutes away from the Entertainment and Sports Capital of the World.

For most people, halftime is when they hit up the snack bar or go to the bathroom, but for me, my inner band nerd comes out. Back in high school I would have loved to take the field at halftime and march in formation around the field playing my trombone, even if I wasn't very good. That's why every halftime you will see me on the sideline taking photos of the band instead of enjoying a hot dog.

Turkey Time

The last bit of sunlight disappeared from the sky over Allegiant Stadium as cars weaved their way through the parking lot at the stadium. At the end up the line were the Raiders offensive linemen and quarterbacks handing out Thanksgiving meals to families in need.

One of my favorite traditions to make its way from Oakland is Turkey Time with the O-line. Every year in Vegas, the offensive line has partnered with Three Square Food Bank to donate their time and money to provide Thanksgiving meals to families in need. This year, the line set a record by donating enough money to hand out 1,000 meals. Even as the roster changes every year, the offensive line makes sure that Turkey Time with the O-Line is here to stay.

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Point of View: Part I