Gridiron Guide: Marana's upgraded stadium worth the trip
Marana High School's football stadium at the school, 12000 W. Emigh Road, in Marana, Ariz. Photo taken Tuesday, July 14, 2015. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
School: Marana
Name: Tiger Pride Stadium
Address: 12000 W. Emigh Road
Opened: 1975
The lowdown: This is not your parents’ Marana football. While the stadium still has that small-town feel, a recent facelift has given it a new charm all its own. The drive down Twin Peaks might still seem like it takes forever, but the upgrades are worth the trip. The most notable item is the $1 million artificial turf field the Tigers installed before the start of the 2013 season. With the shiny new centerpiece in place, other parts of the stadium began to show their wear. Administration quickly remedied that with a new paint job, refurbished press box, improved ticket booth and logos galore.
Don’t miss: The Tigers take the long way to the field on their final pregame march before kickoff. The trek includes crossing paths with the opponent, a long, empty corridor for players to collect their thoughts and a rock to touch for good luck before entering an inflatable helmet lined with cheerleaders aimed toward the T-Unit student section and the Tiger Pride band.
Biggest game: There were plenty of blowouts during the Tigers’ undefeated Division B state championship seasons in the 1960s, but more recently, Marana’s biggest moment came in a 13-6 win against district rival Mountain View in 1998. Rion Westfall finished with 100 yards passing and 109 yards rushing, scoring both of the Tigers’ touchdowns — one through the air the other on the ground. The victory was part of a 7-4 season, which included a postseason appearance, and marked Marana’s last win in the Battle of the Boot.
Performance for the ages: That same season, in the second-to-last week, Marana beat Flowing Wells 34-17, snapping a six-game losing streak against the Caballeros. Future Arizona Wildcats safety Clay Hardt came to the rescue with 280 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 22 carries, as freshman Scotty Coxon had to make the start at quarterback because of injuries. Coxon went on to become the most prolific passer in school history.
Quotable: “I think it’s one of the prettier fields we have in town, and when you get up to the top, you can really see all of Marana. I know it’s rural, but I think it’s really pretty out there.” – Marana coach Andy Litten
