Nestled just below historic Wayah Street near downtown Franklin is a professionally maintained football field. To Franklin High School football fans, it is known as “The Panther Pit” or “The Pit.”
The Pit sits low below Wayah Street with a wide view of the Appalachian Mountains behind the scoreboard. Aesthetically, the stadium is far from dark and dreary, as its name may suggest. Rather, it is pristine and the field lusciously green. It has seen football games, soccer games, special events, community gatherings, and graduations for 75 years.
For 24 of those years, Varsity Football Offensive Line Coach Jay Brooks has been the main caretaker of the field and stadium that has proven to be a landmark of great local significance.
Brooks did not assume the responsibility overnight.
“I was helping with the field and the next thing I knew I was the main caretaker. When I took over field maintenance in 2000, it was in pretty bad shape; it was like a newborn child,” remembered Brooks.
In Brooks’ spare time, he began educating himself on field maintenance.
“The field contained clover that had overtaken the previously planted Bermuda grass,” said Brooks, who also started coaching alongside his brother, Josh, in 1999 on the Franklin JV squad. Brooks also assumed the position of varsity offensive line coach in 2000.
“When I first began, Richard Clark [Clark & Company Landscaping] gave the crucial advice of cutting the grass early and at a short length. We also started applying sand onto the field, which had never been done before,” said Brooks.
The field requires 25 to 50 tons of sand per year to be applied to the soil during a process called top dressing. When looking at the field, a crown or a raised section of soil can be seen in the middle. This is a direct result of all the sand applied through the years.
The sand prevents root damage, allowing the grass to be cut at a shorter length while simultaneously promoting growth. Trillium Golf Course Superintendent Chris Wittekind also played a key role in helping Brooks with the restoration and maintenance of the field.
As any homeowner knows, fertilizer is conducive to a healthy lawn. A football field is no different. Each year, soil samples are taken by Brooks and the field is spread with 1,000 pounds of fertilizer throughout the growing season.
Macon County has been supportive of the upkeep and maintenance of the field, providing professional mowing machinery and other supplies over the years. In addition to the support of the county, Franklin local Lewis Penland Sr. donated fertilizer and other field supplies for 15 of the last 24 years.
“Whatever I needed, Mr. Penland would say, ‘Pick it up at Seays Farm and Garden,’” noted Brooks.
Brooks has strived for excellence in his watch care over Franklin’s beloved football field. On average, Brooks spent 220 hours per year on field maintenance when he was sole caretaker.
“I am very blessed that my wife has been understanding of the time that I must commit to keep the field looking its best,” said Brooks. In more recent years, Brooks has received help from other varsity football staff, including Josh Brooks, Ryan Raby, and Ryan Haley.
Maintaining a lush field
In early spring, soil samples are taken and mowing begins twice a week at a three quarters of an inch height. Mowing takes an hour to complete. The field is sprayed for any weeds that may have presented during winter months. Top dressing begins at this time and is repeated for the duration of the growing season. Top dressing is performed by a machine that spreads sand evenly across the field. This process fills divots, improves aeration, and provides stability for grass roots.
During the months of May to June, mowing is increased to three times a week and fertilizer is applied as needed. Brooks has used a professional grade fairway John Deere mower. These mowers are usually found at golf courses to keep fairways low and smooth for golfers.
Most people think that Bermuda grass requires large amounts of water during hot summer days. Brooks countered, “Our field loves the sunshine and heat during the summer.”
A built-in sprinkler system provides water as needed through drier weather conditions. From July to September, mowing frequency can increase to every day or every other day depending on weather conditions.
When October arrives, fall sports are in full swing and mowing is decreased to once or twice a week. Emphasis is placed on painting, and preparing the field for games while restoring the field afterwards. Painting the field on a Friday before a football game takes six hours to complete. Line painting and number painting are executed by a walk-behind machine. Other parts of the field are accomplished by hand, like the Franklin emblem located on the 50-yard line.
Fall is the busiest time of year for Brooks, with football and soccer seasons in full motion. All home games for high school, middle school and community league football are held at The Pit. In addition, all home high school soccer games are held at The Pit. The field receives the most abuse during the fall season.
However, this year marks the last of the Bermuda grass field. A new stadium and turf field will soon be constructed, along with a new Franklin High School. In fact, last Friday evening, Nov. 1, the Panthers took the field for their final game in the current Pit.
Brooks shared that he is “excited” for the future turf field, due to less maintenance.
A new documentary on The Pit, narrated by George Young, a broadcaster for Franklin Panthers Sports Network [FPSN, Backlot Cinema], can be viewed on YouTube. The in-depth film, titled “The Final Whistle – 75 Years of the Panther Pit,” includes much research and historic photographs. Plus, the film features an interview with a player from the 1940s, Howard Johnson, the oldest living Panther football player. He was honored during Friday’s final game on the present field, and he provides first-hand accounts of what it was like to play ball on the field that evolved from a swampy, muddy lot to a well-established and maintained “Panther Pit,” dubbed in the 1960s by player Keith Corbin.
In the film, outgoing Macon County Manager Derek Roland expressed the sentiments of multiple generations of FHS Panthers regarding the new field that will be in place by next fall: “The Pit is still going to be The Pit.”
The final game
The Pisgah Bears wrecked Franklin’s celebration of The Pit on Friday night. The Panthers lost their last home game of the season 24-7, with the lone touchdown coming in the third quarter. The Panthers will play their last game of the season against Smoky Mountain on Friday, Nov. 8. Going into that game, FHS is 6-2, over-all and 3-2 in the Mountain Seven Conference. The Mustangs are 6-3 overall and 2-2 in the conference. The game begins at 7:30 p.m. at Smoky Mountain High.