TXHSFB Playoffs Won't Be at AT&T Stadium Until December

Photo by Matt Garnett Although the 2016 UIL Football State Championships are returning to AT&T Stadium after a one-year hiatus, it will be a few weeks before Texas high school football fans can see playoff action at the home of the Dallas Cowboys. Sources have indicated to DCTF that AT&T Stadium will not be available for high school playoff action until the fourth round of the playoffs, which will be December 1-3. AT&T Stadium will host the Baylor vs. Texas Tech game on November 25, which falls during the third round of the playoffs. It's likely the stadium is being booked for private events during the first two playoff rounds. This means that other large venues in the DFW area could see plenty of action, especially for the area round, which could see some huge matchups. SMU could be one large venue that schools look to for availability, but the Mustangs' home field is likely only available for the first round of the playoffs as Chad Morris' squad has home games in Round 2 and 3. Apogee Stadium in Denton, home of the North Texas Mean Green, is potentially available for Rounds 1 and 3, but UNT has a home game during the area playoffs. That leaves the 12,000 seat Ford Center in Frisco as one preferred option, along with newly remodeled Mesquite Memorial Stadium, which seats about 18,000. Of course, 18,000 seat Allen Eagle Stadium could also see plenty of action for larger 6A playoff games, as well. The news is disappointing for many fans who in recent years have made a tradition of going to AT&T Stadium and overdosing on the playoff action, seeing as many as four playoff games in one day.