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Last year, we ranked our favorite area football stadiums. How about just the playing surface the teams play on?
While turf has become much more of a new normal in Middle Tennessee, there are still plenty of great natural grass fields. There’s also several turf fields who have added a unique twist that make them stand out.
Over the years, we’ve been lucky enough to experience most of the area’s fields whether it’s reporting, playing or just watching as a fan.
Given our previous experiences, here are each of our top five football fields in the 615 Preps coverage area:
Cam
1. Green Hill: While I prefer a natural surface, the turf at Green Hill is pristine. It truly is a college quality surface. Throw in the way they incorporate the two-tone green in the layout of the field, this was an easy choice for me to go with the Hawks at No. 1.
2. East Robertson: I had to give the edge here to the field that I have been to multiple times. The natural surface in Cross Plains holds great color throughout the season and cuts very tight making it a player’s dream.
3. Ensworth: I’m cheating a little bit here. I technically have not covered a game here. However, I could not ignore the buzz and common belief among a lot of folks in the 615, Ensworth has the best natural playing surface in Middle Tennessee.
4. Oakland: The turf at Oakland is one of the fastest tracks you will find in the 615. The field design and the way they depict the red, white, and blue has it at the four spot for me.
5. Trousdale County: Bias? Maybe a little, but anyone that has been lucky enough to play here knows the playing surface is top notch. Bonus points for the postseason design, nothing beats the checkerboard endzone.
Chris
1. Springfield: You’d be hard-pressed to find a quality public high school field better than the one in Springfield. And that goes back to the Yellow Jackets’ old home at Boyce Smith Field across town, too. Dustin Wilson takes a lot of pride in making it a showcase of the program, and it shows every Friday night.
2. Ensworth: As far as field quality goes, Ensworth’s right there with Springfield, but public schools will always win that tiebreaker due to the difference in resources. Make no mistake, though: Ensworth’s facility is a gem, and the playing surface is a big reason for it.
3. Mt. Juliet: You’ll probably see a lot of the same schools at the top of these lists and for good reason. Mt. Juliet’s overall aesthetic gives the top two a run for their money, plus it’s also a quality field and a top-level atmosphere.
4. Beech: The switch from grass to turf took Beech from one of my least favorite fields to one of my top ones. One only had to have been at that 64-0 monsoon against Glencliff in 2017 to understand why the change was necessary.
5. CPA: I’ve mentioned CPA’s facility previously, but I’ll also give the Lions credit – they have a very good playing surface. Almost kind of makes up for the narrow sidelines. And when the grass turns in November while the Lions are making their annual playoff surge, you don’t have to wonder what month it is.
Isaac
1. Springfield: When you think of a classic high school football field, you think of Springfield. The grass field is always immaculate and the field design is top notch. Between the Jackets logo at each 20, numbers painted every five yards instead of 10 and the special honeycomb end zones, the Yellow Jackets have a nest to be proud of.
2. Macon County: Anyone who has been to Pat Parker Field will tell you it’s one of the best old stadiums left in the state. Aside from the small sidelines, the Tigers’ home field is one of the best around. Not many programs can claim to have a painted field design quite like Macon and that’s what gets them on my list. The midfield logos in Lafayette are legendary for a reason.
3. Watertown: Homer pick? Yes… however, if you haven’t played on an Ed Roberts-cut field, you can’t really claim to have played on a real field. Mr. Ed is the head groundskeeper and cares for every athletic field. He’s somewhat of a legend in the area and the grass at Watertown is the best you can find at any school of a comparable enrollment size.
4. Friendship Christian: Anyone who knows me knows that I have a special distain for turf fields but the turf field at Friendship is one of the few exceptions I will make. The feel of the field is great and the design is really interesting with the alternating greens every ten yards along with the big “COMMANDERS” in each end zone.
5. Harpeth: As a stadium, the Indians’ home field isn’t the most impressive thing ever, but as a playing surface though, there’s something about it that fascinates me. The sidelines are huge and the back of the end zones stretches for what seems like forever. It gives you the feeling that you’re playing in the middle of a pasture with no stadium or fans watching.
Joe
1. Springfield: I flip-flopped between Springfield and Ensworth for this pick, but the little things at Boyce Smith Field just do it for me. The Jackets logo at each 20, numbers painted every five yards instead of 10 and those beautiful honeycomb end zones, Springfield just does it right.
2. Ensworth: I’m not a natural grass guy having been around turf for so much of my life, but I just love what both Springfield and Ensworth have going on. The Tigers sport one of the best and well-maintained fields around, and even if you’re getting slammed head-first into it, I think it’s probably the softest hit of your life.
3. Beech: Finally, a turf field! I love the whole aesthetic of Shackle Island and the mix between the dark green turf outlined by the orange and navy of Beech’s primary colors just speaks to me. This is what I want in my turf fields.
4. Mt. Juliet: Between the hedges at Roger Perry Stadium lies another one of the state’s premier natural grass fields. While I do love the way the grass looks early in the season when it’s lush and green, something about the field turning gold as the weather turns cold just gets me. This is what a football field is supposed to be and I’ve been lucky enough to cover some crazy games on this field.
5. Green Hill: Beech may be my favorite turf field around but Green Hill isn’t too far behind. My only gripe with the field is the logo at the 50 isn’t big enough for me, but it’s still a top-tier look. They do the two-tone green look right on both their uniforms and field.
Konner
1. Pearl-Cohn: Pearl-Cohn’s new turf field is arguably the cleanest look in the entire state. It was done perfectly and the fully red end zones make the bold white “Pearl-Cohn” lettering pop. But the true standout here is the logo—there’s just something about that red firebird that ties everything together.
2. Riverdale: Riverdale’s new field gives off a perfect mix of Florida State and Kansas City Chiefs. Each end zone features crisp white lettering with a gold trim that looks elite, and the maroon backdrop further adds to it. Their logo is sleek and wraps it all up with a professional, polished touch.
3. MBA: Maybe I’m biased toward red, but the “Big Red” end zones at MBA are some of the most iconic in the state. Their turf is also top-tier, and the descending “MBA” letters at midfield were a great design decision. It’s simple, strong, and instantly recognizable—everything you’d want in a home field look.
4. Green Hill: Green Hill’s field earns its spot thanks to its unique approach. They went with a slightly darker turf shade and it works beautifully with their all-green color scheme. It looks modern and cohesive.
5. Liberty Creek: While Liberty Creek’s field is technically the only grass field on my list, it’s maintained so well that it’s easy to mistake it for turf. The “LC” at midfield—with its red letters and blue trim—adds a ton of personality.
Scott
1. Ravenwood: It is difficult to differentiate between all of the splendid fields in Williamson County, but I have a soft spot in my heart for the field east of I-65 in Brentwood. As you enter Raptor Stadium through the south gates, you are immediately struck by the black end zones with the large red ‘RAPTOR’ font trimmed in metallic gold and dueling shades of green on the field.
2. Mt. Juliet: Roger Perry Field is an incredibly unique venue for a football game and the actual playing surface is no exception. Standing on the sideline is akin to being in the Roman Colosseum as the battle takes place below the fanbase. The thick golden grass is lined with hedges to further isolate the action.
3. Beech: The field at Shackle Island has an intimate feel but must be somewhat claustrophobic to visiting teams. Fans line the north end zone and all of the amenities are right there on the field. Aside from the color scheme, which absolutely pops off of the green canvas, the Bucs’ logo at midfield is one of the best in the state.
4. Ensworth: The carpet at Ensworth Football Performance Field is the envy of every suburbanite homeowner. The field is soft and forgiving, cushioning players and is some of the greenest grass in mid-state. In a world where turf is becoming the norm, Ensworth stands out as what a playing surface should be.
5. FRA: I love the field at Panther Stadium so much that I’ll make an exception for its narrow visiting sideline simply because the field encompasses every square inch of the summit. You have to love this field to scale the heights, but when you do, it is football nirvana, especially at dusk. Nothing, save the view, is there to distract from the action.
Tyson
1. Ensworth: By far one of the nicest and softest natural grass fields, this is the kind of natural grass field that every football team should play on. The brick buildings surrounding it is the cherry on top, especially the Natatorium.
2. Brentwood: You might think this is biased but I think the generation of turf from about 2017-18 is the best. It’s not hard like Brentwood Academy, and it’s not too soft like Summit and Independence. This turf does have a big downside as I have seen a lot of knee and ankle injuries, getting one myself.
3. Independence/Summit: Speaking of Summit and Indy, their turf is very soft which has its pros and cons. Pros, it’s very soft and doesn’t hurt as much when taking a knee or getting thrown down and it is less prone to injuries. Cons, the grip is minimal and in my first game on Summit’s turf, our whole defense was slipping like crazy.
4. Beech: Even when we were getting destroyed by the 2022 Class 6A runners-up, it was a crazy atmosphere. I just wish it wasn’t as far away so our section could’ve travelled and it could’ve been even crazier. Shackle Island is also a dope name for a home stadium.
5. Centennial: My two games at Centennial were awesome. The field is like perfectly flat and the design looks great. You can’t beat the Drury Plaza Hotel overlooking the field either.
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