Stevens: Best band, best press box, best food, best dressed -- all in Wayne County area
By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on November 12, 2010 1:47 PM
There's nothing quite like high school football in the South.
The game itself is the main attraction, but there's so much more that goes into making Friday nights in North Carolina truly unique.
The News-Argus sports department would like to recognize those who make their respective schools shine on Friday nights. The following are the inaugural News-Argus end-of-season awards:
Best band: Eastern Wayne -- Eastern Wayne's band provides a spirited soundtrack on Friday nights at Little Big Horn. The Warriors play at the appropriate times during the game and keep the crowd involved. From their snazzy uniforms to their show-stopping halftime performance, Eastern Wayne and director Tyrone Wagner keep things rocking in New Hope.
Best press box: Rosewood -- The spacious press box at Branch Pope Field has separate rooms for media, coaches and the public address announcer and clock keeper. Each room has windows that can be opened or closed depending on the weather. On a cold Friday night late in the season, there's no better place to be during a game than the box at Branch Pope Field.
Best concession stand: Charles B. Aycock -- What's a Friday night cheering on your favorite high school football team without something delicious to eat? The concession stand at Hardy Talton Stadium features tasty cheeseburgers, hot dogs, french fries, chicken sandwiches, popcorn, candy and much more. With service as good as the food, there's plenty to keep you coming back.
Best dressed: Rosewood -- The Eagles' move to LSU look-a-like uniforms instantly made Rosewood the best-looking team in the area. The yellow helmets with "RHS" across the side, the yellow pants and the yellow-and-purple stripes on the shoulders accentuate this sharp look. Our only suggestion would be to request permission from the N.C. High School Athletic Association to wear white jerseys at home like LSU.
Best atmosphere -- Princeton: Witnessing a game at the Fred Bartholomew Athletic Complex is an experience all its own. Princeton fans are loyal and pack the stands regardless of what type of season their Bulldogs are having. The parking lot, concession stand and rest rooms are all easily accessible. A trip to Johnston County to see the Bulldogs is always worth your while.