FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS AT ITS BEST

The newest stadium on our list, built in 1998. We love that it is the home field of the Hippos, the coolest mascot in all of Texasdom. We like the limestone wall in the front and the rust-colored accent in the walkup entrance that balances new and old. Proximity to the Texan Café is another plus.

Coyote Stadium is remote, playing home to six-man games. But we are suckers for stadiums with great backdrops. The West Texas sky and Gail Mountain right behind the visitors’ side make this a great watch.

The home of the Marshall Mavericks is almost dug out of a forest. The backdrop of Cedar Elms, Post Oaks, and other local fauna lets you know you are in East Texas. You can also feel the tradition in a stadium where future NFL MVP, Hall of Famer, and all-around legend Y.A. Tittle played his high school ball.

The name alone might get this place on the list. Two unique aspects of Cowpuncher seal the deal. First, there is a roof (really an overhang) that calls back to the stadium’s origin as a rodeo arena and horse racing track. Second, a golf course surrounds the area. The roof came off for repair this year, but thankfully, the good people of Mason have the sense to restore the tradition.

Bowl-style stadiums are popular in West Texas, presumably to cut some of the wind. The set-up in Canadian is ideal, with seating on both sides built into the hillside. The rock front and seating complete the feel nicely.

There are so many things to love about The Tomato Bowl, starting with the name, which comes from the fact that Jacksonville owns the title of Tomato Capital of the World. The stadium is a great example of community. It is a downtown stadium, bringing life to the town square. The stadium was built in the late 1930s and early 1940s as a WPA project utilizing stones from area farms. The long-time tradition of lighting “the Flaming J” continues on. Most of all, the stadium looks amazing.

Another WPA entry, this one is the biggest stadium on our list, with a capacity of 18,500. Nicknamed “The Rockpile,” it most famously hosted the Chili Bowl rivalry between Fox Tech and Lanier High Schools until Fox Tech gave up football (gasp). The Aggies and Red Raiders had a neutral site game in the Alamo Bowl from 1943 to 1950. The Rockpile was also home to USFL and WFL professional teams. For all the history and iconic styling, we think the best thing about the Rockpile is the entrance, which lets you know that the building is “dedicated to the use of a free and happy people.”

A combination of everything great in Texas high school football. It is a beautiful bowl stadium with East Texas lush greenery all around. Tyler is synonymous with roses, so the name evokes and promotes the community. The history is there, first of all, as ground zero for the Tyler Rose Parade and as host to numerous college games and historic playoff matchups. If you want to talk football history, it does not get any bigger than the fact that the stadium was home to THE Tyler Rose, Heisman winner, and maybe the most dangerous running back ever, Earl Campbell. The playing field now bears his name.

When we say that Yellow Jacket Stadium in Cleburne looks like a movie maker’s idea of a high school football stadium, we are not exaggerating. The state championship game in 12 Mighty Orphans was filmed on location. This is yet another WPA project, and it is more intimate, seating around 4,000 people. Nicknamed “The Rock” for a reason, spectators get the added touch of ivy-covered walls.

El Paso may not have the tradition of football powerhouses from around the state, but it takes a second seat to no one as far as stadiums go. Nestled in the Franklin Mountains and sitting above the city, the scenery is jaw-dropping. El Paso High towers above the field. Acclaimed architect Henry Trost designed the building, which was built in 1916 and carries the nickname “The Lady on the Hill.” The combination of the school and stadium is breathtaking; there is no better adjective for it. The stadium hosted the first three Sun Bowls.