Notebook: Lexington’s Wildcat Stadium nearly complete
Construction workers were busy putting some of the final touches of the renovations at Lexington High School’s Wildcat Stadium on Wednesday.
The sound of drills and other machinery were mixed in the distance while the Lexington football team was going through practice in preparation for its first home game of the season Friday against Carolina Forest.
“It is something our something for our football players, our school and community can be excited about. It is a long time coming,” Lexington football coach and athletics director Josh Stepp said. “This is a welcome addition to an already great campus at Lexington High School. Our kids are excited about being here Friday night.”
Plans for renovations to the seven-year-old stadium began when he took over three years ago, and monies were supplied by the school district’s capital funds.
Outside of the press box, everything should be in place for the opener. The press box will include a fully catered luxury suite for boosters, sponsors and district personnel on gamedays. It also has individual rooms for coaches, media and a production room to help run the new scoreboard.
The scoreboard is similar to the one installed at White Knoll earlier this year and includes a 17.19 x25.16-foot 20mm LED Nevco video display and Stadium Pro 2000 sound system.
“I’m excited about the jumbotron,” Stepp said.
The top of the press box has a large concourse for the Lexington coaches to call plays and film the game. Stepp said his coaches prefer that to upstairs on gamedays. There also will be a new entry way and plaza in the west end zone for standing-room only.
“It has been a long process, but we are happy to see the end result,” Stepp said.
Bennett’s homecoming
It will be a homecoming this week when River Bluff coach David Bennett takes his Gators to Cheraw on Friday night.
Bennett is a Cheraw graduate and was the quarterback on the Braves’ 1979 state championship team. River Bluff offensive coordinator Terrence Ashe also was a standout at Cheraw before playing at Clemson.
The teams played last year with the Gators winning 24-14 at River Bluff.
“They needed a Week 5 game and we needed a game. We feel like it fit perfect,” Bennett said. “Cheraw is a special place. We went back there for the 30th anniversary of the state championship team. That team was easy to quarterback for. We had a great group lineman and players and it was just a great group of guys to play with.”
Bennett is sure to see many familiar faces in the crowd, including his brother Jay, who keeps stats for Cheraw and is the Dixie Youth state director.
The Gators have won three straight since their opening loss to Westwood, and Bennett said the team is executing better and playing more selflessly.
Midlands girls golf teams to compete in High School Invitational
Lexington and White Knoll, as well as individuals from River Bluff and Heathwood Hall, will compete in the fourth annual High School Invitational hosted by the Junior Golf Foundation of the Women’s South Carolina Golf Association.
The tournament will be held Sept. 26-27 at The Sanctuary at Cat Island in Beaufort.
The field is comprised of 15 teams of four and 12 individuals.
Recruiting
White Knoll pitcher/first baseman Steven Esteep committed to North Greenville this week.
Blythewood quarterback David Israel picked up an offer from Limestone this week. He also has offers from S.C. State, Tennessee State, Austin Peay and Fairmont State.
Dutch Fork quarterback Cole Douglas will visit Dartmouth next month.
Midlands players in college football
How some players with Midlands ties fared in college football last weekend:
Chase Austin (Lexington/Newberry) – Had five tackles against North Greenville.
P.J. Brown (Lower Richland/Limestone) – Had three tackles against Mars Hill.
Jalen Cook (Lexington/Newberry) – Had five tackles for 56 yards against North Greenville.
Will Elm (Irmo/Newberry) – Had six tackles and a sack against North Greenville.
Kendric Geathers (Keenan/S.C. State) – Had five tackles against Florida A&M.
Brice Green (Dutch Fork) – Had two tackles and pass breakup against North Greenville
Jalen Hammett (Blythewood/North Greenville) – Had three tackles against Newberry.
Greg Huegel (Blythewood/Clemson) – Was 2-of-2 on field goals and 2-of-2 on extra points against Louisville.
Farrington Huguenin (Dreher/Kentucky) – Had seven tackles against Florida.
Ed Kirkland (Benedict) – Had four tackles and ½ sack against Central State.
Johnny Maxey (Richland Northeast/Mars Hill) – Had seven tackles and a sack against Limestone.
Kevin Miller (Lexington/Newberry) – Had 74 yards rushing, caught two passes for 27 yards and two total touchdowns against North Greenville.
John Miller (Spring Valley/James Madison) – Had two catches for 15 yards against Albany.
Okechi Ntiasgwe (Ridge View/Benedict) – Had four catches for 49 yards against Central State.
Tyler Renew (Ben Lippen/The Citadel) – Had seven carries for 24 yards against Georgia Southern.
Tyler Smith (Keenan/S.C. State) – Had three tackles against Florida A&M.
Vyncint Smith (Westwood/Limestone) – Had three catches for 38 yards against Mars Hill.
Dominique Taylor (Spring Valley/James Madison) – Had three catches for 32 yards against Albany.
Zeke Walker (Brookland-Cayce/Indiana) – Had two tackles against Western Kentucky.
Taquan West (Lexington/S.C. State) – Had six catches for 76 yards against Florida A&M.
Brandon Wilds (Blythewood/South Carolina) – Had five carries for 24 yards against Georgia.
This story was originally published September 23, 2015 at 9:31 PM with the headline "Notebook: Lexington’s Wildcat Stadium nearly complete."