Which Midlands high schools have the best football traditions? Here are some favorites
Friday night football is a favorite high school tradition for many in the Midlands.
And, most teams have favorite game day traditions.
Here, a look at a few of the best known.
CHAPIN HIGH’S ENTRANCE
If you attend a game at Cecil Woolbright Stadium in Chapin, you’ll see one of the coolest entrances in the Midlands. The Eagles walk from their field house to the concourse and run down the hill under the scoreboard to the music of “2001.”
TURN UP THE MUSIC AND SMOKE
Perry Parks has turned things around at Ridge View High since his arrival – and not just on the field. He has stepped up the atmosphere at Blazers’ home games with the team coming out in a cloud of purple smoke. Ridge View also was the first team in the Midlands with a DJ in the stands at District Two Stadium in Northeast Richland.
RUN BABY
Each year when Kershaw County foes Camden and Lugoff-Elgin play, a game ball run is held. Members from the school of the visiting team will jog or walk the day of the game to the other and meet at the Wateree Bridge to hand off the ball to the opposing team.
LOWER RICHLAND HOMECOMING
If tailgating is your thing, then you want to be at Lower Richland each year for homecoming. The event begins hours before kickoff and brings in fans and alumni. It is one of the best pre-game parties around with food, music and entertainment.
BATTLE FOR THE BELL
Since 2012, when Chapin and Mid-Carolina get together, more than pride is at stake. The two rivals play for a bell, which was once used at a train stop connecting the towns of Chapin and Prosperity. The winning team gets to keep the bell for the following year.
DOG DAYS
Newberry High is one of the only schools in the Midlands with a live mascot – a bulldog. The tradition started in 1971 with the first bulldog named Blue and continues today.
GETTING WITH THE PEOPLE
Spring Valley High in Northeast Richland gets close to its fans every time the Vikings take the field at Harry Parone Stadium. Players come down the steps by the locker room and walk through the first row of stands in front of students and fans.
PRE-GAME WALKS
Several Midlands high schools, including Dutch Fork, Lexington and Camden, hold pre-game walks during which fans gather around as the team goes from the locker room to the field.