How West Virginia’s drought could affect Friday Night Lights

LOST CREEK, W.Va. (WBOY) — North central West Virginia may have had cooler temperatures and some rain in the recent days, but the long-term effects of the summer drought are still causing issues in the area, including at grass football fields like South Harrison’s Gary Barnette field.

Due to the lack of consistent rain, the field has developed large dry patches, resulting in a complete 180 from the “luscious” field seen last year, according to South Harrison’s Athletic Director Frank Tate.

Although the field has gone through natural wear and tear from playing, this is a whole new ball game. The field isn’t just home to the varsity football team but to the middle school and youth leagues.

“We’re not gonna be able to probably cut as quickly as we would want to, you know, if we do get a little bit of rain this is probably going to turn into mud,” said Tate.

Without shade from trees like the baseball and softball fields have, the football field has taken a direct hit and has had to rely on a sprinkler system, which the school said has not been enough.

“I don’t know if there’s anything that can be done. You know, the corrective actions that are going to be taken now we’re not gonna see the benefits to it until probably the spring. So what we see now is pretty much what we’re going to get and it’s unfortunate with the football season getting ready to start,” said Tate.

On top of the drought, the field has also suffered from an armyworm infestation, according to West Virginia Green, which works with the school. South Harrison High School Agriculture Instructor John Lockhart said the drought could have played a role in the infestation, as the lack of moisture has made the grass weaker.

The main patch of dry grass extends from the 40-yard line of the field all the way to the back of the west end zone, making it approximately 150 feet in length. It would take around $9,000 dollars to fix the field, with most of the labor coming from school, according to Tate.

“We as the school would have to incur those costs and as an athletic program we only have so much money to go around,” said Tate.

South Harrison is one of the only high schools in the county without artificial turf, and it’s not for a lack of trying, but a lack of funds. Tate told 12 News that it can cost upwards of two million dollars to purchase and install a turf field.

“If we get turf, it’s only going to benefit every program that we have,” said Tate.

Their ultimate goal is to get artificial turf for the softball, baseball and football field, which would then also serve as a soccer field. The current soccer field is natural grass and is situated between the softball and baseball fields.

“This was abnormal not to have a lot of rain this summer, but it’s probably going to continue to happen and we’re continue to have—or if it’s not next year it could be the year after and the corrective actions that you gotta take it just—drains your funds,” said Tate.

Although officials believe athletes can still safely play on the field, South Harrison has also applied to the T-Mobile Friday Night 5-G Lights competition with a possible $2 million dollar grand prize to go toward updating a field.

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