Saturday afternoon high school football games may never be the norm in North Carolina, but Friday's game between Harnett Central and Middle Creek showed how wondrous a daylight game can be at a great facility
The circumstances that made the game possible were a little unusual.
Central's field was soaked, with pools of standing water in spots, and the game was scheduled for the day after Thanksgiving on the artificial turf at Campbell University's Barker-Lane Stadium. Schools were closed, many people were off work and the weather was perfect.
"The people here have been unbelievable," Central coach Marc Morris said of Campbell. "If a college wants you in its facility for a big game like this one, something can be worked out."
The kickoff was scheduled for 1 p.m., and by 11:30 a.m. grills were smoking and footballs were being thrown in the parking lot.
The Central coaches were prowling the field, having set out footballs for pregame warm-ups, and eight prime seats in the bleachers already had been reserved with cushions and coats. The stands were filling before Middle Creek arrived at 11:50.
By 12:40, the ticket line stretched 100 yards. Five minutes later, the line had grown another 50 yards. Soon most of the 4,000 seats were taken and people lined the fences.
Few high school facilities in the state could have offered as many amenities.
Kim Graham, Campbell's associate athletic director for operations, said the school welcomed the chance to host the game.
"It is an opportunity for us to get people on campus who might not come otherwise," he said. "It gives us a chance to help our community. And it gives them a chance to play on a dry field."
The Camels' artificial turf gleamed.
This isn't like the old turf that resembled a door mat. There is no comparison.
The turf stood in contrast to many of the high school football fields in our area that are a mess after a season of punishment.
Years ago, the fields were used for a few football games each year.
Now, most fields are used for football, girls soccer, boys soccer, boys lacrosse, girls lacrosse, band competitions and more.
Morris said he wasn't sure if the Trojans' field would be in playing shape for Friday night's 4-A semifinal against New Hanover.
"I'd love to play the game at our place on Friday night," he said. "But this is certainly a wonderful place to play."
Jim Roberts, Campbell's vice president of finance, said the school studied whether to put in artificial grass or natural turf.
A turf field would have cost about $250,000 and the artificial turf cost about $750,000.
"The biggest thing was playability," Roberts said. "And when we considered the equipment and maintenance that a turf field requires and that this field has a 10-year guarantee, we realized the artificial surface was the best way to go.
"It is a big investment, but we're pleased with it."
