Georgiana High School, Georgiana, AL

Sign to Georgiana High School

     Georgiana High School was a school I barely happened to stop by.  I was on my way to Mobile, and told my buddy that I was finally finished looking at schools.  However, to get back to the interstate I had to take this shortcut road that led me right past the stadium.  I couldn't pass up the opportunity.
     Georgiana is a Single-A school in the Alabama High School Athletic Association w/ a daily average enrollment of 110.  I've seen where Georgiana is a 7th-12th grade school with an enrollment of around 250 but there is not much information out there about this high school.  However, Georgiana, AL is the home of Hank Williams.

Home stands

     This is one of the neater set of home stands that I've seen on my trips.  I love the layout, that they stretch the whole length of the field.  It's a very old field and its evident by the buildings and press box in the background.  But to me that's what gives it character and one of the reasons I enjoy traveling around finding jewels like this.

Visitors stands

     These are the visitor stands and again a very old structure, complete with the rickety press box which gives it even more character.  There's a huge grass lot right behind these bleachers, I'm sure this is one of the easiest drive in, watch the game and drive out times that visiting fans ever have.  (I know that sentence doesn't make much sense grammatically, but you get the point).  It's obvious from the pictures that the team was practicing.  In the photo of the home stands you can see two ladies sitting up on the bleachers.  I had a conversation with them about the team, and they were happy to have someone come out and take pictures of their boys.  I'm not sure If they quite understood what I was doing there, but I enjoy talking to people I meet along my journey. 

End zone shot of the stadium

Scoreboard 

Home stands press box

New concessions facitlity

       I was thrilled when I passed by the sign to Georgiana High School, and it was even neater when I found out Hank Williams Sr. had lived there.  I couldn't find out if he went to high school here, but I did read that he got into a fight with his physical education coach, and after the board did not suspend the coach he and his family moved to Montgomery, AL.  The football team may not be that great, but they do play in one sweet, old school stadium.   

Vestavia Hills High School, Birmingham, AL

Vestavia Hills Rebels

     I visited Vestavia Hills High School while visiting my sister at Samford University.  Tonya was along for this trip as well and these pictures are from her camera.  Vestavia is in the 6-A classification of Alabama sports and has an enrollment around 1,250 (which seems small for a 6A school, however the smallest enrollment for a 6A school in Alabama is 744).  There are a lot of medium sized high schools located in Alabama, you would think there would be a better way to split up the largest division, but nothing can be perfect (not saying Vestavia shouldn't be in 6A, but 744 seems small for the largest classification). Vestavia is located right outside Birmingham on the mountain (or large hills if-you-will).  It is a gorgeous community and a great looking high school from an aesthetic point of view.

Home stands

      The home stands are pretty neat in my opinion, except for the fact that there is no middle entrance to the stands.  It is pretty large and the VH blue and red seats in the middle are a unique touch.  The press box is great and I'm sure there are concessions and bathrooms on the bottom level.  The stadium sort of sits in this valley up against the side of the hill where the home stands are located and it has the feeling of a great atmosphere when that place is full.

Visitors stands

     The visitors stands compliment the home stands very well.  It is shorter but the same width, which to me is the way it should be.  There are plenty of seats available for the bigger schools coming in, although I'm sure it looks pretty empty when the smaller schools come to visit.  Also I'm sure it is pretty intimidating to be standing over on the visiting sidelines looking up at that home side (the home side sitting on a hill has a daunting effect and makes it seem huge).  I love the field goal posts with the double support, it's kind of old school.  The entrance is great and if I remember correctly there are also entrance gates on the visitors side.  The lights are supported by big metal poles and they aren't just situated on the sidelines of the field but also along the corners of the field.
     There are a few more stadiums from Birmingham that I will profile in the coming weeks: Hoover, Wenonah and Mountain Brook.  I'm hoping to get in John Carroll Catholic High School at some point.  I loved taking a look at Vestavia Hills, not only because it's a great high school football stadium, but it's also a great town.