Updated Kingston shines during 'First on the Turf' game

Kingston Stadium has long been the mother of prep football stadiums in the area. She got a makeover this spring and summer and looks pretty darn hot.The home of all three Cedar Rapids Metro schools opened the 2009 season in impressive fashion. Kingston looked amazing for the Cedar Rapids Jefferson vs. Cedar Rapids Xavier football game billed "First on the Turf", referencing the new synthetic field turf.I played at Kingston for three years on Cedar Rapids Washington teams of the early 1990s. It was a thrill to play there, especially in front of some of those crowds that filed in during the J-Hawks/Warriors games. It probably doesn't hold a candle, or Musco Light, to the experience the current players for Jefferson and Xavier shared last night.The most recent renovations at Kingston include new state of the art field turf, Musco Lights, new restrooms and improve seats for spectators. That's in addition to a newer scoreboard that was installed a few years ago. These all give it a big time feel.Let's just say with the new turf, last night's game was fast and clean. Something that couldn't have been said about the old field. After two days worth of rain, Kingston's field would have been a mud pit, resulting in a mess of a game and a lot of laundry headaches for players and parents. The field was in great shape. A benefit to the players, coaches, fans and even the referees.I trolled the Jefferson sideline last night, trying to shoot a little video for our website. My thoughts were just how awesome it would have been on the illuminated field made up of the soft turf. What would it have been like digging in with a three-point stance as your hand connects with the grass? Let's just say I replayed a few plays in my mind and became instantly jealous of every player out there.Things were done right, it appears. Last night's game was fun to watch, despite the seemingly lopsided 28-0 outcome. Go out and catch a number of the games that will be held at Kingston this fall, which to my understanding will include freshman, junior varsity and even junior high games. The experience will be worthwhile whether your a player, family member or just a plain ol' fan.