On the flip side, Manteca students provide insight into how to reach an audience on Instagram | Tech Reddy

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By JOHN LOUIE PANLAQUI & FRANKLIN LY

The Tower

As the football season nears its finish line, fans of the Manteca High football team have become familiar with two students – Andrew Robison and Nicholas Grabowski, hosts of Manteca High’s PowerPlay, a sports podcast.

Robison and Grabowski each had a spot in the last three home games, including the Buffaloes’ win over Rocklin in the Sac-Joaquin Section II semifinals.

They can be found in front of the lights and camera on the sideline or in the end zone before and after games, speaking to an audience scattered across the digital world. And they will be there this Saturday as Manteca guns for its ninth Sac-Joaquin Section title. The top-seeded Buffaloes will take on No.

PowerPlay will go live around 5:45 pm

It is not surprising that these seniors have found success in front of the camera due to their past experiences. The long-time friends started the podcast three years ago with little time Manteca Wiffle Ball League Podcast.

That experience taught them a lot about content creation and being in front of the camera.

“We really liked reading a script, keeping it flowing, and keeping it all together, like a podcast,” Robison said. “We’ve been really good at it.”

PowerPlay started this year in James Burns’ Video and Multimedia Presentation class. Burns challenged the students to dream up their own podcast, and Grabowski and Robison, who spend most of their time in class talking sports, no matter what they do.

Their podcast experience, brotherly chemistry, and passion for all things sports, created PowerPlay. Topics range from fantasy football, sports at Manteca High School, and Major League Baseball.

“We chose to create PowerPlay because we have a history of creating podcasts, back when we were playing wiffle ball. We ran a podcast with a couple of people, (but) mostly Nick and I. We had a special guest show, and we would love to do a podcast. When Burns told us he had an idea for PowerPlay, we were ready to do it,” Robison said. talk.

The idea for podcasts came from Burns’ belief that his class was connecting communication and technology. As the landscape of communication and entertainment changed, Burns felt Manteca High needed to follow suit.

“Communication has changed a lot over the years, and there are more platforms and ways that students can use to express themselves,” Burns said. “Podcasts are the new craze. I subscribe to a few different podcasts, and I think it’s great to give students a chance to share their ideas and creativity in that space. Right now, really good.”

Social media gave PowerPlay an opportunity to leave the studio for the side. What’s more, it provided an opportunity to separate the YouTube channel for the audience on Instagram. Burns gave PowerPlay the opportunity to host live pre- and post-game shows, and halftime on the school’s Instagram account (@MantecaHighSchool).

“I didn’t expect much but it happened with Instagram Live … a lot of views,” said Grabowski.

Burns’ Instagram Live saw the power of both hosts. It’s special how they interact, especially when they share their passion for sports.

“There’s a chemistry and chemistry between Grabowski and Robison, and anyone who hears them during class will be able to capture their love of sports and analysis,” he said. “They’re always talking about fantasy football and telemarketing. Knowing that they have a history in news and live broadcasting, letting them run ‘PowerPlay’ was a no-brainer. ”

Grabowski and Robison prepare for their live shows with a week’s worth of research. For the Buffaloes’ win over Rocklin, the PowerPlay duo sat down with the coaching staff, analyzed Rocklin’s roster and season, and compared the Sierra Foothill League to the Valley Oak League. .

Burns marveled at the simplicity of the camera. In addition to their increasing power for the project, their natural chemistry carries them.

“Their strength is their chemistry. Most people get choked up or turned away when the camera is on, but not Nick and Andrew. They’re so happy with each other, they’re just like that. of a camera without a camera or two pointing at each other,” Burns said. “One area they need to improve is in the area of ​​research and education. Once they understand the importance of research, PowerPlay will really flow with their work. They have to be in charge of the subject they are talking about, spending hours off camera.

Manteca High students Colton Murillo, Jack Vasquez, Bryan Lopez, and Justin Lee contributed to this report.

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