At the end of the 2024-2025 school year, Mifflin County School District officially said farewell to the legendary Mitchell Field. Many memories were made on that field and it is a bittersweet goodbye as the transition begins to the new state-of-the-art sports facilities at Mifflin County High School.

Two new stadiums have been built on the property as well as modifications to the baseball and softball fields.

As we say goodbye to the cherished Mitchel Field and look forward to the many seasons to come on all of the new fields, here are some nostalgic high school sports movies to watch:

1. Remember

the Titans

This 2000 biography, drama film was based on a true story of building an inter-racial football team during a time of segregation. The movie takes us through what it was like in Alexandria, Virginia in 1971 after an all-white school is combined with an all-black school. Denzel Washington stars as head coach Herman Boone, who is tasked with uniting a football team that has no desire to work together. Washington’s character faces backlash after taking over for former, beloved head coach Bill Yoast portrayed by Will Patton.

With a heavy focus on the struggle of bridging racial divide, there must be something said for Boone’s dedication to the team amidst threats to his family to create a winning football team regardless of differences. Remember the Titans beautifully depicts true teamwork and demonstrates what can be accomplished if your team is your family.

2. The Blind Side

Another true story that has football at the center of important life lessons. This film was released in 2009 starring Sandra Bullock as Leigh Anne Tuohy and Quinton Aaron as Michael Oher.

Oher is described as a “large and quiet teenager” who comes from a difficult background but is noticed by the coach at Wingate Christian School for his potential. Tuohy welcomes Oher into her home for a night but he quickly becomes a part of their family. Throughout the movie, this young man who came from a troubled past of homelessness and fractured family is able to get on the right track with the help of his new family and it was his football talent that put him on that path.

3. Facing the Giants

At the center of this 2006 film is the idea that “nothing is impossible with God.”

Throughout Facing the Giants a high school football team and their coach have to face their giants on and off the football field as their team continues to lose every game they play. Head coach Grant Taylor (Alex Kendrick) changes the game plan from just winning to faith and unity for the team. As the team works together and relies on their faith, they are able to beat all the odds first with a successful season, then a win in the playoffs and finally with the victory at the state finals. The entire film is based on trusting God and your team and the success that follows.

4. She’s the Man

Now this 2006 film is more on the romantic side then the rest of the listed movies, but the entire plot line stems from Viola’s (Amanda Bynes) love for soccer, which is fitting. Viola’s school cuts the girls soccer team, as it is “less important” than the boys soccer team and the coaches refuse to allow a coed team saying the girls “wouldn’t be able to keep up” with the boys. Viola decides to go to the revival school where her brother attends and pretend to be him so she can play on the soccer team and help defeat the school that wouldn’t let her play. With a comedic fill throughout the movie in the end Viola admits her scheme to confess her love to Duke (Channing Tatum), her teammate and her brother’s roommate. Upon the revelation that Viola is a girl the rival school decides that she still is allowed to play with the boys. Overall, it was the love of the sport she played that drove her to hatch a crazy plan all in the name of soccer.

5. The Sandlot

I feel it is only fair we include more than just football movies as there were also updates done to the infield at the new Capouillez Field. The Sandlot (1993) embodies carefree childhood fun and innocence, well unless you count Squints (Chauncy Leopardi) perfectly planned kiss for Wendy Peffercorn (Marley Shelton)…

This is the movie of the ideal summer for children, with a focus on friendship and baseball throughout the whole film. Smalls, portrayed by Tom Guiry, is a considerably “nerdy” young boy who has a hard time making friends, which is only made more difficult when he moves to a new place. What finally helps get him out of his shell is a group of boys who love baseball and never really stop playing the game. Yet another point that lifetime friendships and memories are made when playing the sport you love.

All these movies tie together with a deeper message than what’s on the surface, connecting it perfectly to this new journey for Mifflin County School District: behind every team there is unity and love for the sport, and with that, all things are possible. As we leave behind the many memories of Friday Night Lights and graduations at Mitchel Field, we know that so much awaits at the new sports complex.

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Liv Suydam is a reporter at the Lewistown Sentinel.