The new turf for the Jellico High Football Field has arrived, installation set to begin next week

The grass at Clyde Tiller Stadium is gone as anticipation of next week’s turf installation grows.

JELLICO, TN (WLAF)- “We returned late Monday night from a seven-on-seven at Maynardville, and the players questioned what that was near the football field. It’s rolls of your new turf,” said Brent Peel, veteran Jellico High Head Football Coach. Come Friday, August 23, the Blue Devils will, if all stays on schedule, play their first ever home football game on the new turf.

Jellico Head Football Coach Brent Peel (left) long with several parents and students from Jellico attended a special called board of education meeting on May 22 when members of the board approved a budget amendment realigning funds for the Jellico High School Football field turf project.

“It’s gone smoothly except for being slowed down a little by getting the drainage system in order. Though the dry weather has really helped keep the project rolling,” said Peel.

The Baseline contractor is handling every aspect of the project from start to finish. according to Coach Peel.

“We open with Lynn Camp (a school just outside Corbin), and the completion date is estimated to be about one week before before that game. Even though we have high hopes to kick-off on that new turf, we will have a contingency plan just in case something unforeseen happens to delay the scheduled completion,” said JHS Principal Joey St. John.

“It took only a few days to remove the green grass and two to three feet of soil beneath,” said Principal St. John.

This is huge for football, the school, the community and all the other sports with baseball and softball benefiting, too, according to the coach. “This is a real big deal, and it’s giving the community a lift,” said Peel.

Tons and tons of gravel were laid down as the foundation of the field was constructed.

“The last two weeks has been amazing as I have watched the transformation of the Jellico football field.  It took only a few days to remove the green grass and two to three feet of soil beneath. Now the installation of the turf field is to begin, and I can’t wait to see the final product in about a month and celebrate with our school and community,” said St. John.

Here’s a look from the south end zone before the turf is to be installed next week.

“Baseline is the contractor and has been very professional in their work to this point,” said St. John.

Rolls of the new turf are on campus and ready for next week’s installation.

“I’m really happy for the community of Jellico, and I thank the director of schools, the administration, the school board, commission and anyone who had a hand in making the turf possible,” said Coach Peel. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-07/24/2024-6AM-PHOTOS SUBMITTED)

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