Final game set for Allen Holland Field

Senior Night will be more emotional than usual at Farmington on Friday. In addition to recognizing its seniors, Farmington will also say goodbye to Allen Holland Field where games have been played since at least the advent of 11-man football in the 1960s.

Allen Holland, the stadium’s namesake, is expected to be among the former coaches and players in attendance for the final varsity game at the site against 5A-West leader Harrison. A chili dinner is planned before the game when the Farmington band, cheerleaders, and drill team members will all perform.

“This is a chance for our alumni to get together before we shut this facility down,” Farmington athletic director Brad Blew said. “We’ll introduce former coaches and players from different eras and talk about defining moments that have occurred in this stadium.”

Farmington won consecutive Class B state championships under Holland in 1972 and 1973 and reached the Class A semifinals in 1986 before losing 14-13 to Barton, the eventual champion.

Farmington will move into a new football stadium and indoor practice facility behind the high school on Arkansas 170. Construction is underway and the project is expected to be completed in late June or early July. The new stadium will include an artificial surface, 2,500 seats on the home side, and 1,000 seats on the visitors’ side.

The Cardinals will open their new stadium against Prairie Grove to begin the 2019 season.

“That’ll be a blast,” Blew said.