At the Booker T. Washington vs. Westwood game at BTW Stadium in South Memphis, 8/31/12
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MIAA Football: Westwood at BTW, Memphis
Memphis’ Booker T. Washington Stadium is arguably the second-oldest in the city after Crump Stadium, behind Central High School, although the latter has had a complete renovation in recent years. Much has changed in the surrounding neighborhood, including the demolition of Cleaborn Homes and Foote Homes, but crowds still turn out to support the Booker T. Washington Warriors, the oldest Black high school in Memphis. This year, BTW seems to have a decent marching band, with a first-rate drumline. Westwood, on the other hand, is a pathetic shadow of its former life, when, in the 80’s and early 90’s, it used to march over a hundred band members. Open enrollment, and outmigration from the neighborhood have devastated it. Still, the Longhorns have a small marching band that seems well-trained and which might become the foundation of a rebuilding. Only time will tell.
Whitehaven vs. Fairley at JP Freeman, 2012
At the Whitehaven vs. Fairley game at J. P. Freeman Stadium, Memphis, 8/25/12
Whitehaven vs. Fairley at J.P. Freeman, Memphis, 2012
High school football (and the marching band battles that go with it) are a big part of the culture of Memphis, and there are few rivalries bigger than Whitehaven High School and Fairley High School. Their game this year, played at J. P. Freeman Stadium because Whitehaven Stadium is being renovated, was a rare Saturday game and it drew a crowd as big as one might expect for a college game.The weather was perfect, the bands were great, and there were no fights.
Whitehaven High School marching band, Memphis, TN 8/25/12 (Taken with Instagram at John P. Freeman Optional School)
Whitehaven High School marching band, Memphis, TN 8/25/12 (Taken with Instagram at John P. Freeman Optional School)
Whitehaven High School marching band at J. P. Freeman, Memphis, 8/25/12 (Taken with Instagram at John P. Freeman Optional School)
Whitehaven High School marching band at J. P. Freeman, Memphis, 8/25/12 (Taken with Instagram at John P. Freeman Optional School)