AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2008 > April > 21
Monday, April 21, 2008
Artificial high school football field turf installation a growing trend
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Preparing for the state championships that are now being played on the synthetic turf of the Georgia Dome, Lowndes High has put in an artificial field at Martin Stadium.
Actually, Lowndes had this in the plans before the GHSA voted to put the finals in the Dome. Plowboys have been heard to say that Lowndes just wanted to stop Valdosta’s cheerleaders from grazing on the sidelines. Or was it Valdosta that came up with that joke when Bazemore-Hyder went artificial in 2004? And what would Wright Bazemore think if he couldn’t find a blade of grass on any high school field in Lowndes County?
I’m surprised at myself for liking these new artificial surfaces. I hardly notice they’re there anymore, and economically, they make sense if a school can afford the investment.
When McEachern became Georgia’s first school to install artificial turf on its campus in 2003, the cost was $1.2 million, and that covered Cantrell Stadium and an adjacent practice field. McEachern’s Jimmy Dorsey estimated then that it would save the school $70,000 a year on field maintenance of fields for the lifespan or the artificial turf, which he put at 12 to 15 years.
Now the cost of installation is roughly half that. It makes you wonder if most big schools won’t have natural grass in 10 years.
In metro Atlanta, most Fulton County schools already do. They include Roswell, Chattahoochee, Milton, Banneker and Westlake. Tri-Cities is next. Harrison, St. Pius and Etowah have it. So does Camden County.
Atlanta’s Lakewood Stadium and DeKalb’s Hallford Stadium are artificial, and in their case, it’s virtually a no-brainer because a grass field can’t handle the traffic of the frequent double-headers that shared stadiums must tolerate.
Lakewood’s old faded-green, unforgiving carpet wasn’t what high school football is supposed to be, but the new turf, which I figured I’d never like, is beginning to grow on me.
I’m curious to see what you think of the trend. There’s nothing prettier than the green grass of a high school football field, but it’s becoming too much time and money to keep it that way.
Kick off the debate: Do you like the artificial turf, or prefer real grass? Is this a good use of school or booster club funds? Why do you think Gwinnett County hasn’t followed the trend?
Permalink | Comments (74) | Post your comment | Categories: Extra Point
Spring Football Fling: M.L. King plans for stronger finish this season
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
THE SPRING FOOTBALL FLING
In upcoming weeks, teams throughout the state will spend 10 days on the practice field preparing for the 2008 football season. In a series of stories, ajc.com will provide an offseason outlook for 25 of the top teams in the metro and state.
This Week’s Lineup
4/21: ML King • 4/22: Valdosta • 4/23: Buford • 4/24: P’tree Ridge
4/25: Tucker • 4/26: Fayette Co. • 4/27: Brookwood
Photos: A look at M.L. King
You make the call: What’s the buzz on King in ‘08? Can the Lions top last year’s success? Games start in August. Talk starts NOW.
King aims to finish strong in ‘08
M.L. King’s motto going into next season is not orginal, but it seems to be a perfect fit for the DeKalb County school.
Lions coach Corey Jarvis admits to borrowing “Finish the Drill” from Georgia coach Mark Richt. Jarvis said that he and his coaching staff have reminded the players throughout the off-season conditioning program about last season’s loss to Walton in the Class AAAAA quarterfinals.
“We have got to finish everything we do strong,” Jarvis said. “We talk about the Walton game and how we didn’t finish the game. We talk about finishing strong. We are sort of piggy-backing off of what Georgia says.”
Last season, King won the school’s first football region championship and completed its first unbeaten regular season. But the Lions must replace seven starters on offense and five on defense. The Lions return linebacker Joel Kight, who was named the Class AAAAA defensive player of the year after recording 153 tackles.
Offensively, King has to replace 1,000-yard rusher Cordellaro Jones and quarterback Jarad Dorsey. Jarvis is confident that a group of reserves and junior-varsity players will be able to fill the void.
“Our JV was pretty good the last couple of years,” Jarvis said. “We have a lot of kids working hard. We had some kids that got some spot play on varsity, so we do have some experience.”
M.L. King Lions
Region 2-AAAAA
Spring practice dates: April 28-May 9.
Last year’s record: 12-1, lost in the quarterfinals.
Reclassification challenge: Does not apply.
Working on: The emphasis will be finding a replacement at quarterback and wide receiver. The Lions will add a few wrinkles to their offense during the 10-day practice period. Sophomores Cameron Myers (6-1, 185) and Jack Lester (6-2, 190) go into the spring as the leading candidates to replace QB Jarad Dorsey. Although Joel Kight will get the majority of the work during the spring, sophomore Eian Williams (5-9, 170) and junior Artravious Boyd (5-10, 200) will see a lot of reps. Replacing three starters on the offensive line will be crucial.
Key starters lost: WR Daniel McKayahan (Georgia Tech), OL Aaron Hawkins (Mississippi), DE Tyran Golden (Western Kentucky), DB Lyndrez Leslie (Gardner-Webb), Jarad Dorsey (Howard), OL Darryn Davis (Marshall), OL Xavier Morgan (Stillman), OL Kevin Lalor (Stillman), DL Kami Warner (Virginia State).
Key returning starters: LB Kight, OL Bryce Bell, OL Darryl Martin, SS Fred Barnes, CB Rodriguez Lowe, LB Rashaun Quiovers.
2008 strengths: The Lions will have to rely on their defense until the offense gets it together. Kight, who has drawn interest from several colleges, will team with Quiovers to give the Lions a solid linebacker group. The secondary is expected to be strong with a couple of returning starters back. Last season, the Lions gave up 151 yards and 11 points a game. King should have another fast and athletic defense that will make them region contenders.
2008 weaknesses: The lack of experience on the offensive line will be a major concern with a new quarterback running the offense. Kight will get plenty of carries, but the other backs must step up. The Lions will have plenty of talent, but it is inexperienced.
This season’s projection: Since the school opened in 2002, King has compiled a 56-18 record. There shouldn’t be a letdown. The Lions should be in the region championship hunt and make another playoff run, if the new players produce.
Comments: “It will be hard to tell about this team until we step on the field,” Jarvis said. “We have had a lot of kids make that commitment to the weight room. We have some sophomores and freshmen who have really bulked up over the off-season. We have some teaching to do this spring. We just have to make sure that we understand what we are trying to accomplish.”
Photos: A look at M.L. King
Last Week’s Lineup
4/14: Roswell • 4/15: Norcross • 4/16: Walton • 4/17: Harrison
4/18: Camden Co. • 4/19: Newnan • 4/20: Stephenson
You make the call: What’s the buzz on King in ‘08? Can the Lions top last year’s success? Games start in August. Talk starts NOW.
Services »
