Toughest Places to Play

[BAMF cowboy]

After playing NCAA Football, and reading some stadium threads on here, I decided to come up with this post. Which stadiums do teams always dread going to play in? Which have the most tradition? Being from Southlake, I know that we (SLC) have only lost once at New Dragon Stadium, in our final 4A season in overtime to coppell. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe we are 19 - 1 at Dragon Stadium??? Anyways, what are some of Texas's other "Toughest Places to Play"?

[stevefoxsc]

i have to say coperas cove, the teams not hard it's just for temple fans which like most football towns travel in large packs and there staidium is far from enjoyable. good luck to any one that plays there bring lawn chairs or somthing

[CoppellCowboy57]

SLC is deffently the hardest stadium I have ever played in...but I think its Dragon Nation that makes it hard to play, and with the band so supportive of the football team and sitting right behind the endzone, it makes it very difficult to play @ Dragon Stadium. I remember two season ago at the SLC vs Coppell District Championship game our best kick returner was distracted by y'alls band yelling "Morgan" over and over...it was crazy...Its always distracting 1st and goal w/ y'alls band right there...*hence the two over throws by our qb last year...

HECK YES Coppell is the only school to beat SLC at the new Dragon Stadium...I was at that game, I was only a freshmen then, but still

I correct your record at Dragon stadium its 18-1 y'all only played 4 games at Dragon Stadium this year

[dragonsdaddy]

we have played and won 2 po games thru the years so the actual edition should read 20-1, tyvm.

[GTown02]

Playing against Allen is always a challenge... I dont know what their home stadium is called, but their band is SOOO loud its not even funny...

[jtk1519]

Playing against Allen is always a challenge... I dont know what their home stadium is called, but their band is SOOO loud its not even funny...

The band director at Allen, Anthony Gibson, used to be our band director at Abilene Cooper. In the late 90s our band was several hundred strong and they played louder than any band I have ever seen. So loud that some district coach complained to the UIL about the band and how they were playing too loud while the opposing teams offense was on the field. The UIL sided with the band and they played even louder after that. I heard Gibson now has the Allen band with around 600 members. :eek:

[ktCarl]

I heard that opponents of Katy in the playoffs don't want to play 'em in the Astrodme. Except for maybe Garland.

[wide-e-wide]

Apparently, Floyd Casey is pretty tough.
Lufkin lost there...and Baylor can't win there
to save their life...unless they play aggy.

[stevefoxsc]

I heard that opponents of Katy in the playoffs don't want to play 'em in the Astrodme. Except for maybe Garland.
or lufkin

[BAMF cowboy]

we have played and won 2 po games thru the years so the actual edition should read 20-1, tyvm.

We've played 2 playoff games at Dragon? I only remember the one against Arlington in '02. What's the other?

[BAMF cowboy]

SLC is deffently the hardest stadium I have ever played in...but I think its Dragon Nation that makes it hard to play, and with the band so supportive of the football team and sitting right behind the endzone, it makes it very difficult to play @ Dragon Stadium. I remember two season ago at the SLC vs Coppell District Championship game our best kick returner was distracted by y'alls band yelling "Morgan" over and over...it was crazy...Its always distracting 1st and goal w/ y'alls band right there...*hence the two over throws by our qb last year...

HECK YES Coppell is the only school to beat SLC at the new Dragon Stadium...I was at that game, I was only a freshmen then, but still

I correct your record at Dragon stadium its 18-1 y'all only played 4 games at Dragon Stadium this year

I also remember that game, I also remember that AWFUL 4th down spot that cost us the game, and our undefeated record at home...I'm still bitter lol ;)

[LeanderLions3033]

Allen's band was amazing. I think their band alone was the sole reason they won against us two years ago. They were so loud, and so into the game. It just echoed throughout Texas Stadium and it would send chills through your nerves. There were so many touchdowns that game (49-35), that i dont think our only motivation to score was to win, but to also shut that band the h*ll up lol. Sorry just had to have my little rant.

[BAMF cowboy]

Allen's band was amazing. I think their band alone was the sole reason they won against us two years ago. They were so loud, and so into the game. It just echoed throughout Texas Stadium and it would send chills through your nerves. There were so many touchdowns that game (49-35), that i dont think our only motivation to score was to win, but to also shut that band the h*ll up lol. Sorry just had to have my little rant.

I have nightmares about that band.

I've heard Southlake's band is 2nd, or maybe third in size in the state, and is remarkably only half the size of the army of brass known as Allen!

[dragons08]

I have nightmares about that band.

I've heard Southlake's band is 2nd, or maybe third in size in the state, and is remarkably only half the size of the army of brass known as Allen!
were at least 500 strong this year

[BAMF cowboy]

were at least 500 strong this year

I'm not in the band, but i thought the official count was around 395? again you're more likely to know than i am, i just recall they had 'band stats' on the espn telecast game, for some reason 395 sticks out in my mind. again you're more likely to know

[dragons08]

I'm not in the band, but i thought the official count was around 395? again you're more likely to know than i am, i just recall they had 'band stats' on the espn telecast game, for some reason 395 sticks out in my mind. again you're more likely to know
well according ot one of the directors we had like 430ish and should be over 500, i dont know its just marching band or band department all together cause sum people dont do marching band

[Dds115]

At any given game we had about 350. Allen has an amazing band which adds such an edge to the game where ever they play.

[wide-e-wide]

Obviously none of you cats ever heard Dallas Carter's band
back in '88?
now that was an intimidating band....

[CoppellCowboy57]

I also remember that game, I also remember that AWFUL 4th down spot that cost us the game, and our undefeated record at home...I'm still bitter lol ;)

and I can say I was on the freshmen team, when that happend...SCORE

[CoppellCowboy57]

I made fun of this girl in the Dragon band as they were getting ready to preform, and she goes "Your mom" so i threw a hot dog at her :)

[LoboFan07]

No doubt in my mind it has to be Lufkin.

Those fans will do anything to get into your head. Hats off to those Panther fans over in Lufkin for coming out every single week like they do!

[ktCarl]

or lufkin



We've never had the honor of playing Lufkin in the playoffs.
That would be a good game.

[dragons08]

I made fun of this girl in the Dragon band as they were getting ready to preform, and she goes "Your mom" so i threw a hot dog at her :)
was it this years game?

[dragonsdaddy]

slc v wf in 1st round of po in 01.

[LeanderLions3033]

When we played Carter and Allen back to back, it wasnt that Carters band was bad. They were fantastic, best half time show ive ehard from any band. But we played them at Waco ISD stadium, and the Carter band was probably about half the size of the Allen band, and it was indoors, and it was very loud. Allens band wasnt as good, but they were more into the game, and were louder.

[NewSherriffInTown]

LeanderLion...


What are the top 2-3 home crowds in our area???

[BAMF cowboy]

slc v wf in 1st round of po in 01.

oh okay, that's before i stated really paying attention to dragon football

[thecoach]

No doubt the toughest place to play Katy is the Astrodome
Considering I went to one of their games against dobie? and the entire Katy side of the field was covered in red, I think their whole city came to the game. That was the most High School football fans in one stadium I had ever seen from one team, except for maybe the Katy Southlake State game

[BAMF cowboy]

No doubt the toughest place to play Katy is the Astrodome
Considering I went to one of their games against dobie? and the entire Katy side of the field was covered in red, I think their whole city came to the game. That was the most High School football fans in one stadium I had ever seen from one team, except for maybe the Katy Southlake State game

This last year, the SLC vs. Abilene game yielded an attendance of 37,000, which is absolutely amazing. That's more fans than some Div-1 schools get! I was also shocked to see so many Abilene fans travel, they had as much, maybe more than us, and it was just a trip down 114 for us!

[LeanderLions3033]

NewSherriffintown

The North Austin Area is fairly new to having any kind of success in football, so their is no real "tradition" in Austin besides Westlake, and Reagan (and Reagan has gone through so much so they barley even compete anymore). I'd say in our district Leander is always behind their team pretty well, RR McNeil always shows out pretty well for games all over the state, and Cedar Park showed out very nicley for their games last year. But i almost feel bad for Austin Reagan. They had so much tradition, but with all the things going on over there, a large majority of the kids that are zoned to go to Reagan, either go to Austin LBJ, or Pflugerville. Pflugerville gets alot of its talent from kids zoned to go to Reagan, so ou could tell that Reagan used to have more than a respectable program, but a feared program.

[GarlandOwl06]

There's no doubt that it is tough to play Lufkin anywhere. We played them at the Ennis stadium in the first round a couple years ago, no doubt that was one of the most hardfought games I've seen. It was a little intimidating to look across and see the Panther purple from end to end. But we came out on top!

[Texasfrog]

I went to the Midland Lee vs Austin Westlake Title game in Austin at Memorial Stadium back in 2000. There was close to 40,000 fans there with both sides of the lower levels jammed packed.

In 2001 I went to the Astrodome to watch the Houston Madison vs Galena Park North Shore game. There was about 45,000 fans at that game and over half of the Astrodome was filled. The Astrodome had to open up the upper level to help seat some of the fans. It was crazy.

[Texasfrog]

I'll give some respect to our neighbors to the East (Louisiana). West Monroe's stadium isnt a easy place to go play at. Midland Lee and John Tyler can tell you that.

[CoppellCowboy57]

was it this years game?

last years

[dragons08]

last years
kind of funny acuttaly, when your football team is getting killed, you take it out on the band, now thats a way to proove your toughness

[dragons08]

you know what i didnt get, was the game against keller, they were winning at halftime against us, and they had people thorwing stuff at us while we were on the field, now thats just screwed up

[farmerfan]

The state record for attendance at a high school football game in Texas is between Plano and I believe PNG at Texas Stadium. If im not mistaken, they drew around 42-43,000 for that game. As far as the Westlake/Lee game is concerned, I remember reading that a crowd of 31,000 was in attendance.
The 45,000 figure for the Shore/Madison game sounds a little to big to believe.
This past years SLC/Abilene game was incredible. Abilene had a great crowd, and Southlake never disapoints. The reason that crowd was so big was due to the Texarkana/Ennis game, those fans came early and that forced Tx Stadium to open up the second deck.

[Lobo Dude]

I made fun of this girl in the Dragon band as they were getting ready to preform, and she goes "Your mom" so i threw a hot dog at her :)

I dont think i would've wasted my hot dog like that... those things are starting to get exspensive at some of the stadiums these days.

[dragons08]

I dont think i would've wasted my hot dog like that... those things are starting to get exspensive at some of the stadiums these days.
smart man, if your going to throw stuff at us, just an fyi, make sure its in a wrapper, so we can eat it laterm so its not completly wasted.....haha jp

[GTown02]

What was the title game in 99' after the Garland vs. Katy matchup? I know PNG was playing, but I don't remember their opponent; but there were soo many fans in the Astrodome for those two games, it was quite amazing.

[XSVRanger]

I'm surprised no one's said it yet. SV's only losses at home since '96 were the two in '04 to P-ville and Judson, and the 21-14 OT loss to Bastrop in '97. I'm not sure on the amount of wins, but I know it's somewhere in the 40s. Ranger Stadium should be among the toughest places to play in the state.

[farmerfan]

What was the title game in 99' after the Garland vs. Katy matchup? I know PNG was playing, but I don't remember their opponent; but there were soo many fans in the Astrodome for those two games, it was quite amazing.

It was Stphenville, the can fans always bring a good crowd, but they were vastly out numbered that day. I heard that crowd was around 34-35,000 for that game. I know centex has pictures he could post of it, it was a impressive sight to see.

[dragonsdaddy]

the png-plano game was one of the most amazing crowds i've ever witnessed. they came from every nook and chemical factory in the golden triangle that saturday.

[Mr. Buddy Garrity]

What was the title game in 99' after the Garland vs. Katy matchup? I know PNG was playing, but I don't remember their opponent; but there were soo many fans in the Astrodome for those two games, it was quite amazing.It was Stephenville back in '99.

[Mr. Buddy Garrity]

Toughest place I would have to say is WO-S. Scary place to play. Also Jasper's doghouse/alamo. :D

[Bilbo]

If you take into account the referee's, Lufkin is the toughest, I have never seen worse!

[raidercheerdad]

At any given game we had about 350. Allen has an amazing band which adds such an edge to the game where ever they play.can they afford to come play and help us have a good TV presence at the Coltrain game? LOL

[wide-e-wide]

Where is Coletrain? Is that in Ohio too?
I thought he was a jazz musician?

[RedRage00]

were at least 500 strong this year


That's a lot of band nerds! :p

Anyway, Ive seen SLC and I don't think their band has 500

RR

[raidercheerdad]

Where is Coletrain? Is that in Ohio too?
I thought he was a jazz musician?now that's funny right there, i don't care who you are!

[Favpack]

If you take into account the referee's, Lufkin is the toughest, I have never seen worse!

I would tend to agree with this. I think Lufkin has lost two games at Abe since '01. One was against an undefeated Shreve. Evangel team in '01 led by Josh Booty at qb (will likely start at USC after Leinart leaves) - the second was against Lee in '02. I felt there were two blown 2 pt. conversion calls in the OT against Lufkin - otherwise LP would have won that one also.

So, take away the poor calls - and LP loses one game in 5 years at home. :)

Actually - that loss to Lee was bizarre - the field was essentially unplayable due to rain - and Lee had our number that year - beat us twice.

[dragons08]

That's a lot of band nerds! :p

Anyway, Ive seen SLC and I don't think their band has 500

RR
not 500 last year, this upcoming year, is what ive been told

[SWTAlumni]

Wow, between all your fans and 500 plus band members thats a hell of lot of HOT AIR coming out of SLC.....Again, your number 1 in the Nation but yet not in Texas Divison I 5A, go figure?

[LoboFan07]

If you take into account the referee's, Lufkin is the toughest, I have never seen worse!

You've never been to Rodney Duron Stadium in Evangel then...My Lord those guys are horrible.

[wide-e-wide]

Yep. That's how we win all those games at Abe Martin.
We pay the refs. At last count we are up to a little over
100 grand. The players have nothing to do with it. It's a
no lose situation for the Pack. We just suit up a bunch of
bums and slip the refs each about 1000 bucks. And BAM!
We win.

[drgnbkr]

Wow, between all your fans and 500 plus band members thats a hell of lot of HOT AIR coming out of SLC.....Again, your number 1 in the Nation but yet not in Texas Divison I 5A, go figure?

Wow, you are envious are'nt you? I guess your a little deprived over there behind the "pine curtain"...Hot air...right.... :rolleyes:

[wide-e-wide]

I honestly hope SLC goes undefeated all season.
I really do. And I hope that they meet up with Lufkin
again at Floyd Casey.

For a Lufkin boy that currently lives about 10 minutes away
from Floyd Casey...It doesn't get any better...

It has become one of those things that I look forward to
every football season. I just hope this year has a better
ending for my beloved Pack.

[drgnbkr]

We love playing Lufkin...great games so far..great fans....great atmosphere!

[Rerun]

Judson is always tough to play at.

SV is really tough also.

Schertz Clemens is also very tough on visitors.

[Texasfrog]

You've never been to Rodney Duron Stadium in Evangel then...My Lord those guys are horrible.


I've been to a few games at Evangel stadium & at two at West Monroe. Got to say that I agree with ya. Seems like alot of "yellow hankies" always get thrown against the Lone Star boys when they play in Louisiana. Some deserved... many NOT.

[drgnbkr]

Carroll has lost 1 home game at Dragon Stadium....has the all time Texas High School record at 74 straight regular season wins in the 80's & 90's...pretty salty bunch for a long time...but all of you are welcome to come play at Dragons Stadium! ;)

[SmilinTiger]

or lufkin

Katy has three (3) 5A State Championships in the last eight years. Lufkin has but one (1).

[wide-e-wide]

Did you figure that out all by yourself?

[Lp78]

Katy has three (3) 5A State Championships in the last eight years. Lufkin has but one (1).


Being that the subject is "Toughest place to play". Its Lufkin 1 Katy 0. Katy dropped Lufkin after 2 games & 2 blow outs in Lufkins favor.

[SmilinTiger]

Being that the subject is "Toughest place to play". Its Lufkin 1 Katy 0. Katy dropped Lufkin after 2 games & 2 blow outs in Lufkins favor.

And after getting beat by Lufkin in '03's season opener Katy went on to win 15 straight beating SLC for state and put a nice trophy in their case.
What was Lufkin putting in their trophy case for a meaningless opening season win.

NOTHING. That's what.

And Katy didn't drop Lufkin. The contract was for 2 games just as it was with John Tyler the previous 2 seasons, just as it is with Reliant last season and this season.

[ktCarl]

Being that the subject is "Toughest place to play". Its Lufkin 1 Katy 0. Katy dropped Lufkin after 2 games & 2 blow outs in Lufkins favor.

Well, I would have to say since Katy lost twice up in Lufkin that Lufkin is the toughest place for Katy to play. Since Katy is a notoriously slow starting team I would think our opening game success would be difficult in SLC, Longview, Tyler Lee, SV and maybe a host of other good Texas teams.

[concha]

"The Pit", Elder High School (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/football/2001-10-25-top10-stadiums-elder.htm)

This is perhaps the most intimidating place to watch a game in Ohio. It's not the size of the crowd, as it hold just 10,000 or so (small by Texas standards). The intimidation comes from the fans being almost on top of the field. It's kind of like playing hoops at Cameraon indoor Stadium at Duke. There is no track between the crowd and the field. Just a few short yards. And the Purple Nation of Elder is renowned in Ohio for their fanaticism. It's something to experience.

http://www.elderphotos.com/albums/ThePit/normal_IMG_6718.JPG

[RidgePride]

I would hate to play at that stadium. It looks like whoever is not in the game would have to sit in the front row.

[concha]

I would hate to play at that stadium. It looks like whoever is not in the game would have to sit in the front row.

LOL.

You are not far from the truth. It is amazing how close the fans are to the action. And Elder fans are nuts. You get an earful.

[PackAttack2005]

Looks like they were getting new turf at the time of the picture. Wouldn't bother Lufkin playing there at all.

[Lp78]

And after getting beat by Lufkin in '03's season opener Katy went on to win 15 straight beating SLC for state and put a nice trophy in their case.
What was Lufkin putting in their trophy case for a meaningless opening season win.

NOTHING. That's what.

And Katy didn't drop Lufkin. The contract was for 2 games just as it was with John Tyler the previous 2 seasons, just as it is with Reliant last season and this season.

The subject is toughest place to play! Not State Championships. Believe me everyone in Lufkin would not mind loosing to Katy & then win state. You won state & I tip my hat to Katy. But thats not the subject. :D

[dentonRYAN]

Dont know if yall been to the new Denton Stadium, but what I really like is how close you are to the game. In most older stadiums there is a track around the field. This new stadium is very close to the sidelines and the game.... go way to pump a team up....when they can actually hear their fans...

[ktchamp97]

How did Katy and Lufkin's state titles come into this? Last I checked, there ain't no state championships being played at Old Abe or Rhodes.

Of the stadiums I've been to, Old Abe is #1...no doubt.

Although I haven't been there, Dragon Stadium has to be right there as well (I will see a game there sometime!). Maybe I can make the trek from Midland this fall, who knows.

Maybe when we start these types of threads, there should be a disclaimer like..."Besides your team, yada yada..." It's only natural for people to rep their team, so that's understandable, but it might make for more interesting discussion. Just a thought.:)

[pack0808]

i know i never get off track defending my team in a thread ktchamp97 ;)

[dragons08]

Dont know if yall been to the new Denton Stadium, but what I really like is how close you are to the game. In most older stadiums there is a track around the field. This new stadium is very close to the sidelines and the game.... go way to pump a team up....when they can actually hear their fans...
kind of like dragon stadium right?

[ktchamp97]

i know i never get off track defending my team in a thread ktchamp97 ;)

It's cool pack0808, really. You guys have every right to be proud of your team.

I'm just saying, it's always interesting, to me, to hear what people think of teams other than their own. That's really a major focus of our site...bringing people from all over the state together and showing that there's great football being played everywhere, and not just in their backyard.

[pack0808]

hey ktchamp i was just making fun of myself. lol i was not being a sarcastic jerk.

[KT2000]

With so many schools sharing stadiums these days and parity on the rise, it's tough to find any true home field advantages out there in Class 5A. Personally, I think sub 5A classes dominate in the home field advantage category because there are more one school towns, and the parity isn't as great..

My opinions for toughest places to play in 5A...

1. Abe Martin Stadium (Lufkin)
2. Dragon Stadium (Southlake)
3. Rhodes Stadium (Katy)
4. Galena Park ISD (Houston)- North Shore
5. Ranger Stadium (Spring Branch)- Smithson Valley

Hon mention: Rocket (Converse), Shotwell (Abilene), Rose (Tyler), Lobo Stadium (Longview)

[ktchamp97]

hey ktchamp i was just making fun of myself. lol i was not being a sarcastic jerk.

Lol, pack, I didn't take it that way anyway...it's all good.

[dragons08]

what i like about dragon stadium is how its close to the field, and we (the band) sit on the field level, so were right there, and id like to assume that when we play it affects the other teams concentration

[ktchamp97]

With so many schools sharing stadiums these days and parity on the rise, it's tough to find any true home field advantages out there in Class 5A. Personally, I think sub 5A classes dominate in the home field advantage category because there are more one school towns, and the parity isn't as great..

My opinions for toughest places to play in 5A...

1. Abe Martin Stadium (Lufkin)
2. Dragon Stadium (Southlake)
3. Rhodes Stadium (Katy)
4. Galena Park ISD (Houston)- North Shore
5. Ranger Stadium (Spring Branch)- Smithson Valley

Hon mention: Rocket (Converse), Shotwell (Abilene), Rose (Tyler), Lobo Stadium (Longview)

I would have to agree with GPISD being up there. The weird thing is, the atmospere itself isn't anything special. They get a decent crowd for home games and everything, but it's nothing like what you see at the other schools listed.

That place would be intimidating with nobody in the stands, because of the team itself. You know what you're up against when you go down there to play. Very, very few teams wouldn't be affected by playing at North Shore.

[badger95]

Before the play-off loss to Pflugerville this past year, Westake hadn't lost a game at home in over 45 games. That's almost ten years. I'd have to say that that makes Chaparral Stadium a pretty tough place to play.

[DrEdward]

Wow, between all your fans and 500 plus band members thats a hell of lot of HOT AIR coming out of SLC.....Again, your number 1 in the Nation but yet not in Texas Divison I 5A, go figure?

What does being one of the relatively smaller 5A schools in the state have to do with Carroll's success? Other than having to win an extra game in the playoffs each season.

[badger95]

SWTalumni, you are completely oblivious if you think that Div. I champs are always better than Div. II champs.