HICO, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A day that the Midland Trail community has been dreaming of for decades has finally come.
A new multi-use turf field was officially unveiled in Hico on Friday evening ahead of the first football game of the season.
It is a project that has been a dream for those of the Midland Trail community from the students, staff, coaches, and fans.
On Friday, August 30, that dream finally came true.
The previous field, though, will not be forgotten as it held a lot of great memories— from rivalry wins, playoff victories, and winning soccer goals.
The field itself may be new, but the name it bears is not.
Roger Eades Field at Midland Trail High School will remain dedicated to the legend it was originally named after.
Roger Eades was the first head football coach of Midland Trail when the school opened in 1976 following the consolidation of Ansted High and Nuttall High.
Eades was best known for his tenure as head football coach at Ansted.
The Highlanders were a powerhouse in Class A in the early 1970s having claimed State Championships in 1971 and 1972 while winning 36 straight games, a state record held until 2018 now held by Martinsburg.
The new field proudly displays the modern Midland Trail “MT” logo at the center of the field in the school’s colors of red, white, and blue.
The sideline also displays the name of the field, “Roger Eades Field,” and “Hail Trail.”
The renovations also include new stadium lights, upgrades to the sound system, and track upgrades.
Since 2018, Fayette County Schools has invested more than $37.8 million with local funding totaling more than $17.5 million for upgrades in additional classrooms, safe school entrance, administrative office space, an auxiliary gym, and renovations to the Flournoy Center which includes a new HVAC system.
Part of that funding included the renovations of the field totaling $2 million.
A ceremonial ribbon-cutting was held during the unveiling, with Coach Eades himself cutting the ribbon, joined by his family, board members, and Midland Trail administrators.
“It truly is a great time to be a Midland Trail Patriot,” said Midland Trail educator and former coach Jeff Eades at the dedication. “We would like to extend a sincere thank you to Fayette County Schools from the hearts of Patriot Nation.”
Other plans for the campus include the construction of a new elementary school, along with baseball and softball fields.
