Georgians take pride in their high school football, especially in their stadiums. Here are the top five high school football stadiums to visit in the Peach State.
Football is written into our very culture in Georgia. From the small towns of Sylvester to the largest schools in Atlanta, every team and community has a history when it comes to the sport. The biggest symbol of pride for a lot of these schools is their stadium. Not because they’re the size of the Roman Colosseum, but because they show the beauty of the high school game: a community coming together and putting their money and hard work toward something they share.
Every high school football stadium in the state of Georgia has an awesome story or reasoning behind it. Some even have folk stories about how opposing teams would cower under their lights. But here are the five stadiums every Georgia die-hard high school football fan should visit.
1. Bazemore-Hyder Stadium, Valdosta
Somewhat of a mecca for the Georgia high school football fan is the stadium built for the winningest team in high school football history. Named after two historical coaches, the beautiful brick palace is also leased out by Valdosta State University and has a full museum, tailored to celebrating the Wildcat tradition. Between the players’ helmets banging in the tunnel and the crowd of 11,000 strong for game day, Bazemore-Hyder Stadium is sure to be a memorable football experience.
2. The Granite Bowl, Elbert County
Way up in Northeast Georgia is the Granite Bowl, which hosts Elbert County. The Granite Bowl is considered a historical site, and walking into it is like walking into a piece of history. It was a former dump for the town, but was rebuilt to be a football stadium using the 100,000 tons of blue granite already in place. It’s a beautiful stadium that is unlike anything you’ll ever see.
3. Cantrell Stadium, McEachern
A stadium like the Granite Bowl can be beautiful to watch a football game in, but sometimes a little state-of-the-art doesn’t hurt either. Cantrell Stadium was built in 1984, and the 12,000 seat stadium is one of the largest in the state. It could be easily mistaken for a college stadium and is top of the line, with all of the bells and whistles you want. The giant jumbotron and scoreboard also allow for a pro-like viewing experience.
4. Shamrock Bowl, Dublin
One of the most unique viewing experiences is a must-see on your stadiums list. The Shamrock Bowl was a community coming together to help out and support the school – exactly what high school football is all about. Many individual donations came together to build the 4,000-seat stadium, and while it may look like a few bleachers surrounded by the grass bowl that supports it, it is actually a piece of the town’s history and shows support for the Fighting Irish.
5. Martin Stadium, Lowndes
There are stadiums that go for historical appeal or architectural beauty. But some of the best stadiums are simply poured concrete and a place for the community to come together. The Concrete Palace is just that, and the energy inside the building makes it a scene unlike anything else. At field level, there’s hardly any air as the concrete stands surround you, the band is nearly over the top of you in the end zone, and the crowd doesn’t stop all game long. It’s a true home-field advantage and a must see for high school football fans.
Written by Kyle Grondin
