FYN Sports Top 5 Football Stadiums in Our Viewing Area
Team FYN Sports July 5, 2021
Just here to spark a little bit of fun debate during the off-season! Our writers blind voted on their favorite stadiums in our viewing area, and these were the results. I’m sure everyone will have their own opinion, so let us hear your opinions and what we got wrong!
Each stadium write up is written by a member of the schools community.
1. Fannin County High School
Fannin County High School Football Stadium comes in at #1 on our FYN Sports Top Football Stadium in our Coverage Area.
Although the stadium has no nickname, it is often been referred to in the past as “The Battlefield”
Fannin County may have the best entrance in all of Georgia. The Rebels walk out of their locker-room directly to a gigantic blow up Fannin County Football Helmet. Coach Cheatham usually is the 1st one to break open the facemask on the helmet and the Fannin County Football team walks onto the field with arms locked. The cannon fires, the smoke rises, music blares, lights go out and then flash from pole to pole. It is a striking entrance and one that every High School Football fan needs to see.
Yes, we mentioned a Cannon. And yes, it does fire. Every time Fannin County enters the stadium and scores a Touchdown the Cannon is shot and is heard throughout the town of Blue Ridge. Yes, we mentioned Lights cutting off and flashing. Every time a Touchdown is scored Fannin County’s LED Light system will flash from pole to pole igniting the roar of the Fannin County 12th man.
Metallica’s “For Whom the Bell Tolls” is played and PA Announcer Tim Towe famous “ITS 3rd DOWN” sparks the Rebel Nation to make noise on 3rd Down.
I think if you witnessed a game here during Fannin County’s magical season last season you would agree with our choice.
The Stadium is a true 12th man Atmosphere. Powered by everything we have mentioned and the award winning Fannin County High School Marching band, the cheerleaders and “The Blue Crew” ( Student Section) Fannin County is our choice for Top Stadium in our coverage area.
2. Murphy High School
Photo taken by Mark Muir
David Gentry Field at Bob Hedrix memorial stadium is nothing short of picturesque. The location of the stadium is one of it’s best qualities, being right off the road and allowing passers by to honk their car horns and cheer on the Dogs, whether that be on Friday night or Tuesday afternoon at practice. Watching the team walk down the hill at 7:27 on Friday night just before kickoff is electric. The sun setting behind the visiting bleachers on a crisp fall evening is really something to behold. Dont even get me started on the sheer history of what’s been accomplished on that field. 10 state championship teams have played under those lights, and for the past 40 years, perhaps the greatest High School football coach of all time has coached on that sideline. Add to that JR Carrol shouting “1st and 10 Bulldogs” over the speakers, you’ve got a recipe for one of the greatest high school football atmospheres in the country.
Photo taken by MHS Athletics on Facebook
They don’t call it “BULLDOG COUNTRY” for nothin’.
Former Dogs Head Coach & Hall of Famer David Gentry said, “There’s no better high than the one you get on Friday nights in Murphy between the hours of 7:30 & 9:30. That feeling you get for those two hours, it’s unattainable anywhere else.”
3. Robbinsville High School
Robbinsville’s Big Oaks Stadium is a rethink-your-ranking kind of stadium. A truly historical field, it has hosted the home games of over 50 years of Black Knight football teams without ever being moved to a new location. The stadium is also directly adjacent to the original “old rock” schoolhouse of the 1900s.
The field is not the only piece of historical significance—the players themselves, often generational descendants of fellow state champions, give the Friday Night aesthetic of a Robbinsville Black Knights’ football game the aura of dominance. These boys know the magnitude of what they are playing for.
With 14 State Titles earned on its grass, the Big Oaks guarantees you a night of knock-down and drag-out, old-fashioned football, complete with rows of aged-oak trees, and a sunset view over its Smoky Mountain backdrop. Being the true embodiment of the AC/DC rock hit—Back In Black—the Big Oaks Stadium is THE must see stop of any stadium tour.
4. Union County High School
Photo from Chris Mathis
We look to Union County’s Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium a.k.a “The Mike.” There are many great high school football venues; not many, however, pack a 1-2 punch with a beautiful view and electric atmosphere like this one.
Photo from Chris Mathis
This venue offers a beautiful turf field and an even more astounding view of the crisp Blue Ridge Mountains. Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium is one that you’ll never forget, one that provides a bit of everything you could ever want on a Friday night underneath the lights!
5. Pickens County High School
Photo from North Cobb Electrical Services
Pre-season football interview with Panthers head coach Brian Allison
Sports, TeamFYNSports, Union County High School July 16, 2019
The Union County Panthers lost twelve seniors in last year’s graduating class, but according to head coach Brian Allison, returning players are ready to step up.
“I feel good about the direction we’re headed, and we’ll just see how we perform on the field,” said Allison.
The Panthers have been busy at work this off season between regular summer workouts, passing camps and 7v7 camps.
“Our participation has been good, we’re probably hitting 82-84% of our kids on a daily basis that are in voluntary workouts…it’s been a really good summer and we’re excited about the fall,” said Allison.
Team FYN Sports is excited about the fall as well! Watch the rest of the interview below!
Player Of The Week-Kyle Morlock
Player of the Week September 2, 2018
Union is coming of a great wing against rival Towns County. A few guys could of received the award this week, but we went with Junior Wide Receiver, Kyle Morlock. Kyle finished the game with 6 catches for 132 yards and 1 touchdown. He also did a great job blocking the whole night. Congrats Kyle and the Union County Panthers.
TeamFYNSports Writer Player of the Week: RJ Banton
Panther's Corner, Player of the Week, TeamFYNSports September 19, 2017
This week’s #TeamFYNSports Sports Writer Player Of The Week is Linebacker #11 RJ Banton.
The Senior had an impressive game Friday, September 15, against the Banks County Leopards. His name was called from above countless times due to his impressive tackling capabilities. RJ is the type of player you want on your team; a great student and person, but someone to fear on the field. You can catch Mr. Banton and the rest of the Panthers at home on September 22nd, when they take on Greater Atlanta Christian (GAC) at 7:30PM! Please note it is also Homecoming!
Preseason Clash At The Mike
UCHS Football August 11, 2018
The Union County Panther (AA) took on the Habersham Central Raiders(AAAAAA) in a preseason scrimmage last night in Blairsville, Georgia. Both teams were looking to get some great practice in while competing like a regular game and they did not disappoint. The Raiders struck first with a 40 yard passing touchdown in the first quarter, but then it would be all Panthers for the rest of that quarter. The Panthers would drive the ball 70 yards and cap it off with a Pierson Allison 10 yard throw to Kanon Hemphill to get the Panthers even with the Raiders. The defense would come up big for the Panthers on the next possession.
With the Raiders driving, Union forced the quarterback to make a bad throw which resulted in a Chayton Schafer interception. Schafer’s interception set the Panthers up for a quick drive, resulting in a touchdown run by Chad Buzzard. The Raiders would answer on the next two possessions with two rushing touchdowns of their own. Union got the ball back before halftime and quarterback Pierson Allison did what he does best, make things happen. Pierson made a fantastic throw on 4th down to Cayden Rich to keep the drive alive. The drive would end with a touchdown pass to Chayton Schafer. This would take the two teams to halftime with three scores each.
Union County would get the ball after halftime and it would not take long for them to score. Allison found Kyle Morlock for a 25 yard touchdown to cap a 6 play drive. The Raiders would answer yet again with two more touchdowns of their own. This would conclude the varsity playing time and now the younger guys would get a chance to showcase their talent.
Quarterback Holden Heltcher would lead the Panthers on a long drive ending in a rushing touchdown by Payton Ivester. The younger Panthers defense would not budge or break which would take the game to the end of regulation. With the clock reading 0:00 the Panthers and Raiders would both end with 5 touchdowns each. The score was not kept because of it being a scrimmage. The Panthers looked very promising and will look to build on this moving into the regular season opener against East Hall on August 24th in Blairsville, GA. Go Panthers!
The Legacy Continues
Business September 1, 2018
The Union County Panthers(1-0) took on the Towns County Indians(1-0) in a non-conference match up last night in Hiwassee, Georgia. This rivalry series has been on halt the last 3 years, but was finally re-instated this year.
Junior Quarter back, Pierson Allison, did what he does on the next possession. He would lead the Panthers offense down the field and find Junior wide receiver, Kyle Morlock, for a 3o yard touchdown. The Panthers defense would come up big on the next possession. Senior,Ean Harkins, would pick off a Indian pass to set up a Panthers scoring drive topped of by Chad Buzzard leaping over a defender for a rushing touchdown.
The Panthers offense would keep it going with a reverse to Junior, Sawyer Drake, for a 22 yard touchdown. Union County’s defense was not done just yet. Senior, Ean Harkins, would pick off another pass and return this one for a Panthers touchdown. Before half, Brian Smith would kick a 27 yard field goal and Buzzard would score another rushing touchdown to bring the score to 38-7 in favor of the Panthers at the break.
The second half would be pretty quite for both offenses until the fourth when Allison connected with Drake for a 37 yard screen for a touchdown. The game would end quick due to a running clock. The Panthers would win the game 45-7 and bring their record to 2-0. Union County will return home to take on the Fannin County Rebels at Mike Memorial Stadium next Friday. stats towns 2018