Here are the 10 best high school football stadiums around Western North Carolina (so far)
Since arriving in Asheville just over a month ago, I have made my way around the WNC to quite a few stadiums. Compared to my local high school stadiums in the rolling cornfields of Northwest Indiana, each stadium has an exceptional view.
How did I rank these stadiums? The surrounding view is most important. In an area as gorgeous as Western North Carolina, the best stadiums show off the environment. After that, facilities like bathrooms and the press box, alongside the field itself, will separate the best from the rest.
A reminder: these are the rankings of the 10 schools I’ve been to in my short time here. If your favorite stadium isn’t listed, it means I’ll need to get out there next.
10. Andrews
One of two natural grass fields on this list, Hugh Hamilton Stadium gives off the feel of a classic stadium, and the banner bragging of five state championships reminds you of the school’s historic success. The field is surrounded by trees, with sightlines to the distant mountains.
9. Roberson
Compared to its city counterparts in Reynolds and Asheville High, Roberson’s field doesn’t stand out. Surrounded by trees, Roberson’s stadium is as good to see a sunset as anywhere else.
8. North Buncombe
North Buncombe doesn’t have quite the views other schools in the area do, with trees surrounding the field that block out the mountains. But its facilities are as good as any other school in the area with well-built concessions and bathrooms.
7. Enka
Standing at the top of Enka’s bleachers provides an exceptional view of the mountains southwest of Asheville. The end zone designs borrow from the 1980s New York Jets, and the facilities are on par with North Buncombe. The view gives Enka the edge.
6. Swain County
Swain County, the second natural grass field on this list, still carries the old-school vibes turf fields can’t replicate. Right at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Boyce Deitz Field is surrounded by a performance center and the school’s Hall of Fame.
5. Smoky Mountain
The Mustangs’ field is best viewed from the west end zone, where the mountains overlook the field. With a five-lane track that’s fenced in on both sides and a press box that looks more like a house, the field – partially funded by the Carolina Panthers – has a homey feel to it.
4. Mitchell
Mitchell’s field is essentially built into the mountainside. The home-side stands are built into a hill with Charlie, the Mountaineers’ statue mascot, overlooking the field. Add in Mitchell’s drone-shot hype videos and it’s clear the Mountaineers have something special at home.
3. Hayesville
The Yellow Jackets’ field sits on just the right level to provide wide-ranging views of the surrounding nature. The yellow bleachers that span the length of the home side of the field add to the stadium’s character.
2. Reynolds
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Nestled in between a few mountains and built to show off incredible surrounding views, R.L. Dalton Stadium provides a high standard for fields. With a new track recently laid down, it’s hard to beat Reynolds.
1. Asheville High
Most schools in Western North Carolina are situated with views of the surrounding mountains. Asheville High’s natural views don’t stand out, but nobody has a view that comes close to the building itself towering over the field. No other school looks like Asheville High, and the stadium’s placing works to show it off.
Evan Gerike is the high school sports reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email him at egerike@citizentimes.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanGerike. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Here are the top 10 WNC high school football stadiums (so far)
