Friday Night Football with Digital Camera

[fotography]

I'm an old newspaper photographer who use to shoot awesome Friday Night Football pics using a big Graflex Flash with battery pack and a camera with 125 flash sync.
Now I've tried to make the switch to Digital. It has been expensive.
I'm using a Canon 20D with a Sigma 70-200 2.8 lens and a Canon 380EX flash.
The photos are good but still not "stop still" good. I still cannot stop the action.
Do I need to get even a better lense? Do I need to attach a large flash?
Do I need to shoot in RAW mode and go from there?
Give me some suggestions
thanks
Steve

[timmyquest]

The lens works for me at my home field, i cant imagine any field being too much darker. With the 20D you ahve the advantage of shooting at ISO 1600 without having to worry about noise.

You should most certainly shoot in RAW. I shot my first game entirely in RAW last week, i think i'm sold for good now (finally).

The only thing left is the 380EX

550EX
180/55mm (at ISO 100 in meters/feet)

380EX
102/50mm (ISO 100)

That and if i read up correctly the fastest the 380 can sync is 1/125 where as the 550 will allow you to shoot at 1/250.

I think i'ts the flash, and aside from your football photography i think the 550 is a much better flash anyways.