Huntingdon football turf project has begun
HUNTINGDON – Paul Ward Stadium might need to be referred to as Paul Ward Mud Pit for now.
Huntingdon’s football field is in the middle of renovations that include putting down new turf and a new track around the edge, and the field has been leveled off. The old track was being pulled up Thursday morning before a rainstorm blew through the area.
“Honestly, watching the machines come in and dig up that sod on the field when it first happened, it made me sick for a little while,” said Huntingdon head coach Eric Swenson. “There was no turning back at that point.”
The track will be finished first after the ground beneath it has been properly packed down. The turf will be put on last once all the necessary support materials have been laid. The crew has wrapped up the first two weeks of the process that’s expected to take six weeks.
“Hopefully, in about a month, it will be done if the weather cooperates and the ground,” Swenson said. “But there’s plenty of time to get it done before the season starts.”
Huntingdon opens with neighboring rival McKenzie on Aug. 18.
Chester County jamboree: Despite the fact mainstay teams like Scotts Hill and Adamsville have opted to play in other jamborees, Chester County will continue to host its jamboree this year on Aug. 11.
A pair of new teams will join the list of games this year as South Fulton and Middleton will leave their towns close to opposite state lines and meet in the middle in Henderson to play a dress rehearsal a week before the season is set to begin.
Chester County head coach Michael Hodum said Hardin County and McNairy Central have pulled out of the jamboree to run a one-on-one scrimmage with each other.
That leaves Chester County, Riverside and Bolivar remaining to play each other. Chester County is currently slated to play twice that night. But if another team decides to join, they will play the appropriate opponent based on their size. A smaller school would play Riverside, who is Class 2A. A larger team would play either 4A Chester County or 3A Bolivar.
More offers for local athletes: Milan running back Anthony Ballard Jr. (6-feet-1-inch, 205 pounds) received two more offers this week to bring his total to nine. The pair this week were Missouri State and Ivy League school Brown University.
Bolivar quarterback Trey Lowe (6-feet-4-inches, 200 pounds) received his 13th offer this week from the University of Houston.
University School of Jackson wide receiver Ryan Miller (6-feet-1-inch, 199 pounds) got offer No. 3 from UT Chattanooga.
Reach Brandon Shields at bjshields@jacksonsun.com or at 731-425-9751. Follow him on Twitter @JSEditorBrandon or on Instagram at jacksonsunsports.