By Stephen Henderson

Patrick County High School football fans will be greeted with a new look when the fall season starts. The old scoreboard that was installed in 1997 has been replaced with a state-of-the-art wireless scoreboard.

A power supply issue kept the old scoreboard on the ‘blink” for four years and most of last season; it completely died prior to the spring soccer season.

The new scoreboard features wireless controls and a unique Patrick County Cougar scope to it. The truss work that will be mounted across the top of the board will feature script and Cougar heads to hail Patrick County High School Cougar Spirit.

Six local businesses are sponsoring the new scoreboard with generous monetary support in exchange for five-year contracts advertising their businesses. The total cost of the new scoreboard is in excess of $19,000.

Supporters include EMI, Hall Propane, Nickelston Fence Co., Rogers Realty and Auction Co., Patrick County Eye Associates and Hopkins Lumber Contractors.

Athletic Director Terry Harris and Principal Trey Cox have been working on the project for almost a year. “Terry Harris has done most of the legwork on getting this completed before the football season begins,” Cox said. Harris and Cox noticed Tunstall High School’s new scoreboard last season and took off with the idea to update Patrick County’s scoreboard.

Another improved look will be the luxuriant green field that is quite evident with the rain and hot sun that has graced Patrick County thus far this summer. According to Wendell Terry, PCHS horticulture teacher, heat, fertilizer and rain are key to spread of a strong base of Bermuda grass on the football field. Anyone who attended this year’s graduation will be amazed at the coverage of the football field.

The first home football game is August 25, against Carroll County High School. See you there!