Henderson County's Colonels Stadium revamped with field turf ahead of 2023 season
HENDERSON, Ky. — The new field turf recently installed at Henderson County High School's Colonels Stadium turned out better than athletics director Mark Andrews expected.
The playing surface is a pleasant shade of dark green. The school's initials are pained at midfield, extending to each 45-yard line. Both endzones are maroon and have "Colonels" displayed in big, bold letters. And although live game action won't happen until later this month, players already feel faster practicing on it compared to the natural grass they were accustomed to.
Excavation for the new field began in April and by June 20, the installation process started. The goal was to have the turf completed by July 10. Fortunately, everything went ahead of schedule.
The Colonels began official practices this week on their new gridiron and the entire project is expected to be finished before the first home football game on Aug. 18 against Meade County.
"It's nice being out on the turf. You can get a lot done preparation-wise," Henderson County coach Josh Boston said. "A big thanks to our administration for getting that for us to help prepare our kids better. Instead of having to worry about mud and weather and rain and going inside, we get to come out here and always get good work done."
"I love the way the maroon looks on it," Andrews added. "The drone videos that were posted on social media, I thought, looked great. The stadium, all in all, looked great. So we're really pleased with how it's turned out."
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Conversations of installing field turf at Colonels Stadium were already underway when Andrews became the AD in 2020. Further talks of putting the plan into action began about a year ago. Andrews estimated the total cost of the project to be in excess of $1 million as the track around the stadium also was renovated.
Andrews is happy the new turf allows Colonels Stadium to be utilized in a variety of ways without worries of wear and tear. He plans to open it to other groups, such as youth football teams and the Colonels' soccer teams. Plus, the marching band will be able to use it as much as possible for practices and performances.
Still, the football team is grateful to have opened practices on its new digs no matter the weather. However, the Colonels are still adjusting to the temperature of the turf compared to grass.
"(It's) always a few degrees hotter than it is outside, but other than that, it's all positive," Boston said.
Henderson County is coming off one of its most successful campaigns in recent memory. It won 10 games for the first time since 2006 and fell two games shy of reaching Kroger Field in Lexington. The Colonels' season ended in a 23-10 loss in the state tournament quarterfinals to Class 6A runner-up Louisville Male.
They are excited to continue the winning momentum despite graduating a 20-member senior class. Only a few Fridays remain before they welcome their faithful back to Colonels Stadium and begin what they hope is another season to remember.
"I'm just ready get back out there and show people what we can do," junior quarterback Trajdon Davis said.
Courier & Press sports reporter Treasure Washington can be reached via her email, treasure.washington@courierpress.com, and on Twitter @Twashington490.
Henderson County Colonels
Last year: 10-3 (3-0 Class 6-A First District)
Head coach: Josh Boston, 47-34 in 7th year at school, 54-38 in 8th year overall
Key players to watch
Koien Banks (WR/DB, Sr.), Trajdon Davis (QB/LB, Jr.), Yusef Sanogo Kendrick (OL/DL, Sr.), Jackson Pendergraft (WR/DB, Sr.), Harrison Shaw (OL/DL, Sr.)
The Colonels' three biggest games
Aug. 25 at South Warren: An early road test awaits Henderson County in the Spartans. The program is two seasons removed from winning a Class 5A state championship and has also produced multiple Power Five players in recent years.
Sept. 15 at Owensboro Catholic: The Aces are coming off a nine-win campaign and were one of the final eight teams standing in Class 2A. Their junior quarterback, Brady Atwell, threw 30 touchdown passes, tied for the second-most in the class.
Sept. 22 vs. Mayfield: Henderson County faces yet another talented Class 2A team. The defending state runner-up Cardinals return multiple key players, including senior Juju Starks, who tied for the fourth-most rushing touchdowns in his class with 21.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Henderson County's Colonels Stadium revamped with field turf
