Westminster waits to return to flooded football field

By Michael Carvell

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Despite heavy rains on Sunday and Monday, Westminster still expects to return to its flood-ravaged football field by the end of the month.

"We have removed all the silt and sludge but we need a lot of rye grass to grow in to be able to play on our field," Westminster athletics director Rusty Hudson said on Monday. "These rains are not helping us."

Flooding two weeks ago left the school's field under eight feet of red clay-colored water. It was yet another setback for the Atlanta private school, which has been trying to get its field in playing condition for several months. Westminster had troubles with sodding during the summer, forcing Hudson to move all the program's games to alternate sites while a rooting system was established.

Ironically, Westminster has found helping hands from some of its rivals. Fellow Atlanta private schools Woodward, St. Pius and Marist offered usage of their football facilities for varsity games. Buford, Blessed Trinity and Greater Atlanta Christian have opened their fields for Westminster's lower-level games.

"We are losing concession revenues for all home games played ‘away,' but in the large scope of things this is a minor concern," Hudson said. "We are very thankful that the host schools have made concessions available for the crowds by providing their own volunteers and staff to run them.

"We cannot give enough thanks ... It's good to have friends who are in this business to help kids even if they belong to the opposition."

Despite the distractions, Westminster's football team is coming off an upset over then-No. 3 Lovett last Friday, has moved up to No. 8 in the Class AA rankings and holds down first place in Region 6-AA with a 2-0 record (3-2 overall).

Westminster hopes to return home in time to play Cross Keys for homecoming on Oct. 23.