Nevada Union, Hooper Stadium: Hated losing there. But from the mid-80’s until around 2010 the atmosphere was unparalleled and scenery unmatched. Also a bit intimidating back in the day. As an opposing player and coach, hated hearing that damned horn sounded every time the Miners scored. Although as a fan, it’s pretty cool.
Colfax: Saw my first game there a couple seasons ago. It’s not Hooper Stadium, but has some similarities. Nice venue, cool scenery. Small town feel.
Placer: I haven’t seen the new field, but this venue has a lot of history. Lots of sloppy mud bowl games too. Awesome fans.
Grant Union: Like NU, it’s nowhere near what it used to be. But historically a tremendous place to watch a game. Great sight lines from the stands. Rowdy, passionate but mostly cool fans. Cool band and dancers. And for many decades, among the most talented teams in the area.
San Juan, MacArthur Field: This one is more of a blast from the past. During my teen-aged era when SJ was a D1 team, MacArthur Field was kinda the center of the HS football universe from Thursday through Saturday night. Multiple schools used it as their home stadium so games were played there seemingly every night. And the stands would be filled. Lots of rival coaches and players would show up to scout both teams. I also have another personal connection in that my HS playing career ended on that field playing against the Spartans, as I broke my leg in the South end zone.
Paradise: Only been there once. I decided to visit my son who was attending Chico State and check out a game together. This was a season or two before the fires devastated the area. Fans were camped outside the stadium from high vantage points. It seemed like the entire community was there and the town shut down. It was a cold Fall night. Everything you‘d want and expect from a Friday night lights experience.
Del Oro: This venue has it all. Packed stands. Great football games. Heavy student involvement. Tremendous band. Good BBQ. And a pretty darned nice facility. Although I loathed the Del Oro program from a rivalry standpoint for a long time, it was hard not to like their game night experience. With NU‘s program down for the count, this just might be my favorite SAC regional venue in terms of having everything.
Rocklin: Being a resident of the area for the past 16 years, I’ve seen more games at this venue than anywhere else. I‘ve always liked how the stadium sits beneath the surrounding houses and hills. It has a feel of intimacy to it that I don’t feel most other places. Pretty good snack bar options, and the Pizza Place bar across the parking lot was always a cool place to hang out for drinks before and after the games.
I’ve yet to make it out to The Corral In Oakdale but that’s certainly on my to do list. I fully expect it to be as good as everyone says.w
I’m also looking forward to checking out the new West Park HS Stadium once it finally hosts a game. I’ve seen pictures and it looks amazing. It’ll be one of a few area schools to not have a track around the field. So the sight lines should be fantastic. Also supposed to have an elevated viewing area from the snack bar near the basketball gym.
