September 01, 2007 02:13 am
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By Lance Ogden
Globe Executive Sports Editor
As far as casual Joplin High School football observers are concerned, Waynesville more than doubled up on the Eagles on Friday, winning by a 40-19 score.
It wasn’t the most opportunistic way for the Eagles to open the prep campaign, but then again, 2007 isn’t a normal season for the Joplin School District.
Instead, this night was more about unveiling the future of Eagle athletics through the next decade and quite possibly beyond.
The new-and-improved Junge Field took center stage Friday, and I never once heard it apologize to Joplin coach Doug Buckmaster or his Eagles for one-upping the home team.
I’ve played on synthetic turf as far back as 1984 and have covered football games at every level.
Every few years, technology plays a key role in the look and — more important — the feel of non-grass fields.
Most years, technology serves up a winner. As far as Junge Field is concerned, technology and General Sports Venue Astro Turf hit a home run. A long home run at that.
Simply stated, the “carpet” at Junge Field is the nicest I’ve ever set foot on, and that was giving the Game Day Grass Astro Turf 3D the test with bare feet.
Not only does the surface look and feel like real grass, but the base under the synthetic turf appears to be good, old-fashioned soil, which is something I’ve never experienced, even at the college or pro ranks.
And the field also represents more than just a place to play football for Joplin athletic director Jeff Starkweather.
“I think this looks fantastic,” Starkweather said just after halftime. “This is something the entire city of Joplin can be proud of. This is a great night for us.
“This gives us much more flexibility as far as games and practices are concerned. Weather no longer will play as big of a factor as it has in the past.”
Starkweather said the field will be open to every JHS sports team as well as the band. As an example, if the Eagle softball team’s field becomes a lake of mud because of inclement weather, Starkweather said the club could practice on the new turf.
It’s the wave of the future and Joplin, and its neighbor to the north, Webb City, aren’t the only schools that see the value of synthetic turf.
“(Joplin High School) obviously is keeping up with the newest technology,” said General Sports Venue Astro Turf Regional Sales Manager Mark West, who oversaw the installation at Junge Field. “It opens up the field instead of closing it down. For example, it allows the town’s youth football team to use the field.
“Now it’s ‘We want you on the field, not off it.’ ”
And “on it” is what many cities and towns across the nation are choosing.
West had a hand in the installation of 11 synthetic turf projects throughout Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. General Sports Venue Astro Turf will sell between 60-80 synthetic-turf fields and another 11-15 field-hockey surfaces this year alone.
Joplin fans didn’t have to go far to find another crowd that found value in synthetic turf, either. Waynesville will play its first game on its new turf Friday when it plays host to Kickapoo.
Tiger quarterback Lyle Cox walked away impressed with Joplin’s facility after Friday’s game.
“It definitely felt good to come here and play on the turf,” Cox said. “This is real nice turf, and I’m looking forward to playing on our own next week.”
The future just began in Joplin. Now true Eagles fans can direct 100 percent of their attention back on the Eagle football team.
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