Best high school stadium
We had such a huge response in the nominations phase, and the nominees included many stadiums outside the metro Atlanta area. Since we like to leave some of the rules up to the readers, we decided we’d break the voting down into local and statewide facilities. Though we’ve confined our picks to the Atlanta area, we let you vote for both the local and the statewide stadium – and here are your winners.
YOUR PICKS (METRO ATLANTA)
Parkview's Big Orange Jungle
1) Parkview High School’s Big Orange Jungle
You said, “I went to a rival school and played in the Big Orange Jungle at Parkview and that place was pretty cool looking.”
2) McEachern High School’s Cantrell Stadium
3) Marietta High School’s Northcutt Stadium
4) Atlanta Public Schools’ Lakewood Stadium
YOUR PICKS (STATEWIDE)
Carrollton's Grisham Stadium
1) Carrollton High School’s Grisham Stadium
You said, “Has got to be Grisham Stadium-Maddox Track at Historic Trojan Field in Carrollton, Ga. That place is immaculate. Turf field, chair back-fold down seats, jumbotron, 2 story fieldhouse and 2 story press box.”
2) Ware County High School’s Memorial Stadium
3) Valdosta High School’s Bazemore-Hyder Stadium
4) Elbert County Comprehensive High School’s Granite Bowl
5) Dublin High School’s Shamrock Bowl
OUR PICKS
McEachern's Cantrell Stadium
1) McEachern High School’s Cantrell Stadium
Staff writer Larry Hartstein says, “Artificial turf, scenic backdrop, great atmosphere, rich tradition — what’s not to like?”
2) Brookwood Community Stadium
3) St. Pius’ George B. Maloof Stadium
5) Marietta’s Northcutt Stadium
And you might want to check out our list of Georgia’s best high school players in the AJC’s annual Super 11 or just take a look at the gallery of photos. Follow your favorite teams throughout the coming season on our high school sports page.
For a list of some of our state’s more interesting high school stadiums, or if you just want to find your way to one of them, take a look at our interactive map.
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380 comments Add your comment
Bullwinkle
August 17th, 2009
8:14 pm
Priceless stadia while on the job as a newspaper stringer:
The old Clinch County stadium on hwy 84 while smoke from Jimbo’s bar-b-q wafts by.
The old Cook County stadium with a raised school bus for a press box.
The stadium in Pelham with a Confederate soldier buried beside the west end zone.
The stadium in McIntosh County with smut grass so tall you couldn’t see the yard markers.
The Berrien High stadium with bleachers only 7 yards from the field. Great view.
dekalb jacket
August 17th, 2009
8:15 pm
stop hatin on dekalb county and atl and clayton memorial lakewood grady and panthersville are great i like bawron stadium in rome the swamp at creekside is great pantherville is one sided but olds 10000 fans so it is loud and intense especially during the drum line challenge lake wood and memorial stadiums are deer to my heart i have so many memories at those my places grady and decatur stadiums i love the urban back drops. i will love to go to elbert county, voldosta. lowndes,camden couty,and the feild in warner robbbins and ware county and i just geogia high school football i want to visit every stadium on friday nights
Coffee TROJAN Fan
August 17th, 2009
8:16 pm
Dr. Dan A Jardine stadium on the campus of Coffee High School in Douglas,Ga. has been remodeled with the tax payers money. It has been a long time coming and is ready for the 09 season and atleast we can bring noise makers unlike Cleveland Field in Valdosta into the stadium. I wont say we have the BEST but we can run against any stadium in the state now. We have a Beautiful stadium. We like UGA have the hedges around our field. You should come and see it. We are very proud of it.Go Trojans Go
Coffee TROJAN Fan
August 17th, 2009
8:27 pm
Oh by the way, for all the visitors coming to Jardine Stadium in Douglas, you will be sitting on the old home side, the visitor stands were demolished and the new home side is there. We have doubled the size for the visitors now so we have lots of seats for everyone.
Nathen
August 17th, 2009
8:55 pm
The Shamrock Bowl is top of the line. Also known as the Bruise Bowl, the place is a great place to watch a game.
http://www.dublinhighschool.com/dodgefootball06/dodgefootball06%20145.jpg
http://www.dublinhighschool.com/wlfb06/wlfb06%20055.jpg
http://www.dublinhighschool.com/wlfb06/wlfb06%20072.jpg
some sense
August 17th, 2009
8:55 pm
Nice post…great response, BUT whoever says Lakewod Stadium is totally oblivious to the presence of crime inside and out.
Gator68
August 17th, 2009
9:07 pm
Ware County, they play in what used to be a minor league baseball staduim. It is just plain awsome to go to that place. Looks like a small Div.I stadium. You can view clips on line through the school’s website. Pretty cool place!
Cats Den
August 17th, 2009
9:14 pm
Chris Gilman Stadium
IbleedBlackandGold
August 17th, 2009
9:20 pm
I like elbert county and swainsboro for smaller schools and valdosta and machechern for larger schools
Jonathan
August 17th, 2009
9:48 pm
Hallford Stadum Dekalb County
Football FANatic
August 17th, 2009
9:53 pm
I currently reside in the Valdosta area and I have been a follower of high school football for 25 years. The two stadiums here are VERY nice but I must say, the Granite Bowl, in Elberton, GA is by far the best stadium in the state.
Randy Daniel
August 17th, 2009
10:00 pm
How about Callaway Stadium in LaGrange?
WildcatsTeamMom
August 17th, 2009
10:15 pm
I would have to say Grisham Stadium in Carrollton, GA. They are our rivals but they do have a great field, field house, weight room, equiptment room, video room and a great stadium overall.
SFred
August 17th, 2009
10:58 pm
Warrior Stadium. White County Warriors. Cleveland, GA
Momma loves Football
August 17th, 2009
11:32 pm
The Shamrock Bowl in Dublin!
Slinger
August 17th, 2009
11:59 pm
Having officiated football for many years I have been afforded the opportunity to officiate in many of the stadiums listed prior. If I could pick eleven stadiums to work in this year (since the regular season is 11 weeks long) I would pick the following (in no particular order) with one more for the pre-season scrimmage to make an even dozen!
Tiger Stadium, Commerce
Shamrock Bowl, Dublin
The Reservation, Stephens County
Jardine Stadium, Coffee County
Brodie Stadium, Tift County
Martin Stadium, Lowndes
Dan Pitts Stadium, Mary Persons
City Park, Gainesville
Granite Bowl, Elbert County
THE Brickyard, Thomson (North Hall is Brickyard “Lite”)
Finklea-Robinson, Americus-Sumter
Chris Gilman, Camden County
Bill
August 18th, 2009
3:52 am
The best HS football stadium in Georgia or anywhere is Northcutt Stadium/French Johnson Field at Marietta High School. The setting is perfect, tightly nestled within the city. Like Wrigley Field, parking is hard to come by, because the stadium is in the city and not on some desolate empty piece of property. Marietta boasts the first “Y”-shaped goal posts ever used in the state, which were hand-made by a Marietta fan. The ones used today are the exact same ones made years ago. They are somewhat flimsy looking compared to today’s models. But they are tradition. So many great traditions at this stadium. Coach Ben. “Be Somebody.” The Victory Bell. The beautiful and historic stone wall surrounding the stadium. Georgia boasts many great HS football venues, but this is the creme de la creme. Beautiful playing surface. Great stands on both sides of the field.
Kick Ass Cats
August 18th, 2009
6:52 am
The Wheeler Wildcats used to kick ass, but their stadium is still a fine place to play and watch some football. Marietta High School’s stadium is a good one too…
kush
August 18th, 2009
6:56 am
The Shamrock Bowl in Dublin is by far the best stadium I have been in and I have been in all those listed above. It has a atmosphere about it that screams Friday night football. Large Oaks in the back drop as the field sits in a bottom. On the cool autum nights, fog from the creek running beside it roll into the stadium. Great atmosphere with an exiciting feel.
sbroaders
August 18th, 2009
8:10 am
Lakewood Stadium!! Great memories!!!
tville bulldog
August 18th, 2009
9:04 am
the jacket’s nest – thomasville, ga – a huge stadium. everytime i go, it’s always rockin. the only downside is the track makes you feel far away from the game. should be one of the best due to environment alone. great environment.
veterans memorial stadium – thomasville, ga – a huge stadium for AA standards. probably the biggest i’ve seen. stands are almost too close to the field. there have been a few injuries because of that. you can see the action literally 5 feet from your seat. not a bad seat in the house. only downside is the sometimes weak fans. they don’t always get loud. but a great high school environment nonetheless. also has giant billboard showing the tradition of Thomasville football over all the years.
brodie field – tifton, ga – only been here a few times but was extremely impressed with it both times. great fan support. gets real loud no matter the opponent. i sat at the very top of the stands and still had a great view. great stadium.
CALHOUN ALUM
August 18th, 2009
9:05 am
Phil Reeve Stadium in Calhoun
“new astroturf and fans are on top of the action”
Chuck
August 18th, 2009
9:07 am
Kim, you are correct Cheney was a marvelous place . There’s nothing to compare when the Golden Hawks took the field.
lb
August 18th, 2009
9:39 am
McEachern!! Go Indians
teekay
August 18th, 2009
9:45 am
Unless you’re a reporter, scout, or high-school coach this is pretty much just a ‘popularity contest’ for the local school. Get real Atlanta!
RIP TC 85
August 18th, 2009
9:46 am
I am from Hart County and there is no stadium like the Granite Bowl in Elberton,GA …. Hands Down! Forget all the fancy stuff.
The stadium is a hole cut out of a granite quarry. The visitor side pretty much backs up to a prison yard. No track in between the field and the stands and if you are sitting on the first few rows your liable to be in on a tackle.
Russ
August 18th, 2009
9:56 am
Its gotta be Walter Cantrell Stadium over @ McEachern. HANDS DOWN!!!!! The landscaping is great and adding the seats under the Indian in the 90’s and beautiful turf puts them on the top. Heck their practice field looks better then most schools game day facility.
Marilyn Bledsoe
August 18th, 2009
10:18 am
Bobby Gruen Field – Gainesville High School
gadawg racer
August 18th, 2009
10:20 am
- the granite bowl is a dump and the jail/razor wire adds to the “Mystique” LOL
Leslie
August 18th, 2009
10:59 am
Salem High School, Conyers Ga – best high school stadium!
John
August 18th, 2009
11:03 am
We have a new contender!
The Colosseum – Home of the Johns Creek Gladiators.
http://johnscreekgladiators.com/index.php?id=802
This place is off the chain!
Come find out for yourselves
Kay
August 18th, 2009
11:22 am
Valdosta High’s Cleveland Field.
Bill
August 18th, 2009
11:44 am
A few pics of Northcutt Stadium:
http://bluedevil-football.com/northcutt_stadium.asp
javi' le'
August 18th, 2009
11:45 am
CARROLTON HAS THE BEST STADIUM IN GA. THATS WERE THE AAU REGIONALS FOR TRACK WERE HELD THEY HAVE A LARGE AMOUNT OF PRESS BOX, RUBBER PADDED SEATS, CHAIR BACKS, A FIELD HOUSE LIKE FLORIDA STATE. I COULD CARELESS FOR THERE TEAM. BUT THE STADIUM IS EXCELLENT AND ITS ONLY 2 OR 3 YEARS OLD.
james wilson
August 18th, 2009
11:49 am
HIRAM STADIUM-Hiran Ga has the best stadium you can just feel that football sprit
Randy
August 18th, 2009
12:14 pm
Has to be Brodie Field in Tift County especially since the new renovations.
Buster
August 18th, 2009
12:26 pm
Like Dejay, I have been in over 200 venues over the past 15 years, from Friday nights to all day on Saturdays and Saturday nights. If we are talking about the “Best Stadiums” then look at the class size and compare apples to apples. There is no way Irwin County can compare to Valdosta-Bazemore-Hyder, just due to size of the schools and the revenues by tickets and concessions. Lets keep it fair. If were talking about High School State Playoff style facilites, then you have to go with Walter Cantrell Stadium at McEachern High School with a very close second to Valdosta-Bazemore-Hyder. Northcutt stadium does have class and character, however, the stadium needs much needed updates. With the field rules in place this year, I don’t know where the opposing players are going to stand. The visitor side has always been tight. Each stadium listed has it’s own little quirk, it’s own character, it’s own ambience. That’s what help makes high school football in Georgia the best in the nation.
SWAINSBOROboy
August 18th, 2009
12:41 pm
Dublin and Swainsboro Go Region 3AA
Brent Scott
August 18th, 2009
2:42 pm
YELLOW JACKET STADIUM, which is home to the Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets in Hazlehurst, Georgia is the best stadium in Georgia!
Lynn
August 18th, 2009
2:56 pm
Hands down! It’s Cantrell Stadium at McEachern. Complete with the Indian Chief and the new portal renovations it’s got that college look.
Bob
August 18th, 2009
2:56 pm
I am from Buford and went to the 2006 Dublin Charlton game in Dublin. The Irish have a very nice little field. Like the fellow earlier said, the creek and large oak trees right behind the jumbo-tron play a huge role. The place does not have a track around the field, so you hear every lick. I noticed the home and away side were the same size. In 2006 they had a brand new field house that sat on the opposite side of the creek on a hill. They have a huge shamrock painted green that is in the hill. The state championship game, people sat on the hill and it reminded me just like Paulson Stadium.
Bob
August 18th, 2009
3:08 pm
http://www.mydeo.com/asx.asp?CID=60280&CPID=&SID=323110&RID=22110569
Not Scared
August 18th, 2009
3:36 pm
Garwood Stadium in Fairburn.
Stephanie
August 18th, 2009
3:52 pm
The Granite Bowl Elberton, Georgia
dan
August 18th, 2009
3:54 pm
All of Dekalb County’s stadium’s are dumpy except Dekalb Memorial( I refuse to call it Hallford). They did some major renovations to it and the new turf looks great! It’s a great venue for playoff football. The downside: it’s not in the safest area of town. That area was great in the 1970’s and 1980’s, but man it’s rough now!
geodixie
August 18th, 2009
3:55 pm
Granite Bowl
dan
August 18th, 2009
4:00 pm
As far as other stadiums I’ve been to, McEachern’s stadium is great. I the State Championship there a few years back and it was very accomadating.
As far as atmosphere is concerned, the Granite Bowl in Elberton is pretty hype. My high school team played there for a playoff game in the 1990’s and those fans are rough on the visiting team. Our team won, and we were like the first to win there in 7-8 years. Elbert County used to have some good teams back then. We were fortunate to beat them.
m4l
August 18th, 2009
4:29 pm
West Thomas Stadium , aka “The Syrup Bowl” Cairo High School
bradga
August 18th, 2009
5:15 pm
The Granite Bowl in Elberton, GA is the most fascinating stadium in the southeastern United States if not in the whole nation. I heard one visiting coach who was playing against Elbert County speak of the Granite Bowl as ” It looks like the Colosseum at Rome”. It seats over 20,000 people and has UGA’s old scoreboard from Sanford Stadium. It’s a one of a kind jewel. Georgia should be proud of it.
LJ of UGA
August 18th, 2009
5:44 pm
If the Granite Bowl is not at the top of your list, it’s because you never went to a game there during the T. McFerrin era at Elbert County. The old place still rocks (pun intended), but not quite like when the Blue Devils were winning titles and the seats were full.