Neighbor, helping neighbor: With ‘Blue Monster’ under repair, East Laurens steps up to host Johnson County for playoffs

WRIGHTSVILLE – For the first time in history next Saturday, Johnson County football will host a playoff game outside of Johnson County.

Historic Herschel Lovett Stadium, the beloved “Blue Monster,” suffered damage from Hurricane Helene that resulted in all remaining home games being moved. 

The storm toppled the top level of the visitors stands, as well as a small section of the home side. It seems that the powerful winds caught the blue fabric that was affixed along the upper stands after a shooting incident several years ago. The fabric acted like sail to create force, and caused the damage.

In addition to the stands, the scoreboard and fence were badly damaged. 

The Johnson County school board and administration wants an engineer to inspect the stadium and make recommendations for safe repair. It couldn’t happen quickly enough for football. 

With a playoff game approaching, no one wanted to forfeit home-field and travel to deep south Georgia. 

So as the community awaits repair, a neighbor and friendly rival has agreed to help. On November 16, the Trojans will host the Pelham Hornets in the first round of the GHSA state playoffs at East Dublin’s Falcon Field. 

Without an adequate place to host, the Trojans reached out to a place close and familiar. And head coach Don Norton said East Laurens High School couldn’t have been more helpful and welcoming. 

“The staff and administration have been so gracious and kind,” he said. 

The game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. on November 16.

Built in 1964, Herschel Lovett Stadium for a short time was home to the Wrightsville Tigers and the Johnson County Tigers, but since 1970, it has hosted Trojan football.

Community events, and graduations graced the stadium as well. In the small town, it serves as a place for an annual reunion of friends, who reconnect while pulling for kids and the community.

The stadium bears the name of Herschel Lovett, who donated land for the stadium. 

In recent years, it has become the soccer field as well. 

Since its construction, it has been renovated with concession stands, restrooms, modern lighting and accessible walkways. 

Once home to a track, it was re-landscaped. The iconic old sign with incandescent bulbs has welcomed people from throughout the state.

When additional visitor stands were needed in the 1990s, a group of volunteers, including a local bridge builder, added on with no cost to the county.

Norton, now in his 18th season as head coach, coined the phrase “Blue Monster” owing to the royal blue features, and the name is now displayed at the stadium and on a recent T-shirt. 

The community has bucked the trend of pre-fabricated metal bleachers and kept the old-style concrete stands that were built on-site. 

The venue has seen state championships, as well as many band members, cheerleaders and other students who enjoyed their youth.