Football

TXHSFB primer: The 10 best high school football stadiums in the Austin metro area

By Michael Adams
madams@austinsportsjournal.com

The high school football season is a mere six weeks away. As a primer, here’s a look at the 10 best high school football stadiums in the Greater Austin Metropolitan Area to experience Friday night lights. We picked stadiums using four factors: location, stadium views, atmosphere and pregame meal options. Here are the ones that made the cut:

1. Chaparral Stadium (Westlake)

Officially named, Ebbie Neptune Field at Chaparral Stadium, this Austin area high school football gem opened in 1970 and has been home to some great players. If you’re looking for scenery, this is the place. Nothing beats the view of the Austin skyline from the home side of the field.

Best place to get a pregame meal: Rudy’s BBQ is just down the road on Loop 360, and is underrated barbecue in our opinion.

Westlake cheerleaders sing the school’s alma mater before a football game on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023 at Chaparral Stadium in Austin. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal)

2. House Park Stadium (Austin ISD)

The oldest high school football stadium in the Austin Area. Built in 1939, House Park is home to Austin ISD schools Austin High, McCallum, Anderson and Eastside. A view of downtown Austin is a backdrop in the south endzone and rivals Chaparral Stadium for scenery. It’s in need of an upgrade, but despite its age, House Park is still one of the best places to take in a high school football game.

Best place to get a pregame meal: Shoal Creek Saloon is just a few blocks from the stadium and has the best Cajun food in town.

3. The Pfield (Pflugerville ISD)

The Pfield is one of the newest stadiums in the Austin area, opening in 2017, and home to Pflugerville ISD schools Weiss, Pflugerville, Connally and Hendrickson. This beautiful high school football gem ls located across Pecan Street from the legendary Kuempel Stadium, which is featured in the Friday Night Lights TV series as home to the fictional Dillon Panthers. There’s not a bad seat in the house.

Best place to get a pregame meal: TaterQue serves a loaded baked potato that is to-die-for and is just a couple of minutes from the stadium. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed.

The Pflugerville Panthers take the field before a District 12-5A-II football game on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023 at The Pfield in Pflugerville. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal)

4. Birkelbach Field  (Georgetown ISD)

Birkelbach Field serves as home to the UIL state soccer championships, but it’s also one of the best overall high school football atmospheres in the area, if not the state. It opened in 2008 and seats over 12,000 people. Georgetown and East View play their home games here and on any given Friday night visiting opponents are met with rowdy student sections and loyal fans.

Best place to get a pregame meal: Cotton Patch Cafe is located on University Ave nestled in the back of a shopping plaza. The fried catfish is some of the best around, and they serve a pretty good burger.

Georgetown’s Andrew Petter (22) is congratulated by Jacob Weishiemer (8) during a District 11-5A-I game with Hendrickson at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal)

5. Jerry Vance Field at Panther Stadium (Liberty Hill)

If you’re looking for a true Friday night lights experience, make the trip up 183 and go west on Highway 29 to Liberty Hill. The entire town shuts down on Friday nights and everyone makes their way to the stadium to cheer on the Panthers. The tailgating is some of the best in the area, not to mention you’ll get to watch Liberty Hill run the Slot-T offense to perfection.

Best place to get a pregame meal: Hill Country Smokehouse, located just west of the stadium along Highway 29, serves up an authentic Texas barbecue experience with an old west aesthetic.

6. Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex  (Round Rock ISD)

Known as “The Palace,” the KRAC was built in 2003 and is one of the bigger stadiums in the Austin metro area, seating 11,000. Located on Parmer Lane, just north of Highway 610, Kelly Reeves provides one of the best overall Friday night atmospheres for high school football.

Best place to get a pregame meal: Moonshine Grill is right next door and well within walking distance of the stadium. Get the chicken and waffles and thank us later.

The Westwood Warriors run onto the field before their District 25-6A game witn Manor at Kelly Reeves Stadium in Austin on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal)

7. Gupton Stadium  (Leander ISD)

Built in 2009, Gupton Stadium is home to the Cedar Park Timberwolves and Vista Ridge Rangers. It’s located on the campus of Vista Ridge High School on Vista Ridge Blvd off of Bushy Creek Road. Gupton has one of the most electric atmospheres in the area thanks to the Vista Ridge and Cedar Park student sections, which are two of the best in the area.

Best place to get a pregame meal: Gupton Stadium is just minutes from Kelly Reeves, so you could grab a bite at Moonshine Grill. But if you’re looking for something different, take a trip west on Park Street and cross U.S. 183 and try Los Reyes Mexican Restaurant.  

Vista Ridge students cheer on the Rangers during a District 25-6A football game on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023 at Gupton Stadium in Cedar Park. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal)

8. Texan Stadium  (Wimberley)

Built in 1986, Texan Stadium serves up a 6A atmosphere at a 4A level. Home to powerhouse Wimberley, Texan Stadium rivals any 4A school in the state as one of the best stadiums in Class 4A. Everyone in Wimberley is at Texan Stadium on a Friday night cheering on Wimberley’s football team. It’s small-town Texas high school football at its best.  

Best place to get a pregame meal: Honestly, just drive into downtown to Wimberley Square and take your pick.  You can’t go wrong with any of the local restaurants there, but our personal favorite is Chills on the Lake, which has an really nice outdoor patio. You’ll want to go early to stroll into some of the local antique shops.

9. Bastrop Memorial Stadium  (Bastrop ISD)

Bastrop Memorial Stadium was built in 2009 prior to the opening of Cedar Creek High School in 2010. Home to the Bastrop Bears and Cedar Creek Eagles, Bastrop Memorial Stadium sits nestled along Texas Highway 21 and provides stunning sunset views in September and early October. There’s also some great tailgating going on in the parking lot on game days.

Best place to get a pregame meal: Go early and drive into Bastrop to grab a burger at Roadhouse Bastrop, just across from Bastrop State Park. Roadhouse serves the best burgers anywhere East of IH-35.

The Bastrop Bears run onto the field at BISD Memorial Stadium before a District 13-5A-II game on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal)

10. Toyota Rattler Stadium  (San Marcos)

Rattler Stadium was completed in 2014, giving San Marcos High School’s football team its own stadium. For several years prior, the Rattlers played home games at Texas State’s Bobcat Stadium. There’s also a kids play area during game times. The stadium has 5,000 of its 8,000 seats on the home side to accommodate a large loyal fan base.

Best place to get a pregame meal: It’s not even a debate, go early and stop at Herbert’s Taco Hut for some of the best authentic Mexican food you can find anywhere. Take exit 204B on IH-35 and make a right on Riverside Drive.