A new school year has begun and summer is drawing to an end, which means that football season has arrived. It is during this time of year that Friday nights become the highlight of the week and the high school stadium stands are packed to watch each week’s matchup. New and returning varsity players are trying to stand out among the rest of their teammates while relying on each other to beat the rival team. From now until November, Friday night football in stadiums will determine whose dreams will come true and whose will be dashed.
In the Lone Star state, football is the most popular high school sport. The dominance, determination, and skill of the players, teams, and coaches throughout the state has been chronicled in books, television shows, and movies. To get ready for that much anticipated first kickoff, here are some interesting facts about high school football in Texas:
- Legacy Stadium, located in Katy, is the most expensive high school stadium ever built. The $72 million stadium, which will house its first game this fall, has multi-tiered stands which can seat 12,000 fans, a $1.8 million video screen, and LEDs that light up the exterior in the colors of the home team.
- There are 1202 high school football stadiums in Texas with a total seating capacity of 4,240,420.
- The highest attendance of a high school football game was in 2013 when 54,347 watched from the stands as Allen beat Pearland in a playoff game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
- The longest running high school rivalry is between Yoakum and Cuero, which began in 1900 and continues today for these football teams from DeWitt County.
- Participation in high school football continues to increase in Texas, while it is down elsewhere in the country.
- During the 2016 season, 163,922 boys and 181 girls played high school football in the state.
Eastex CU is proud to support our local high school football teams. We enjoy spending our Friday nights under the bright lights of a stadium, listening to the marching bands, while watching the drama unfolding on the field. Be sure to show your support for your favorite local team this football season. Click on each of the teams listed below to see their game schedule for 2017.
Buna High School: The Buna Cougars play home games at Cougar Stadium
Evadale High School: The Evadale Rebels play home games at Rebel Field
Kirbyville High School: The Kirbyville Wildcats play home games at Wildcat Stadium
Kountze High School: The Kountze Lions play home games at Lion Stadium
Silsbee High School Tigers: The Silsbee Tigers play home games at Tiger Stadium
Sources: TexasBob.com, National Federation of State High School Associations, and Houston Chronicle.
