Arab closes 37 years at The Pit with rivalry showdown
Arab, AL – The Arab Arabian Knights will likely play their last game at The Pit Friday night. AHS is set to transform Arab Stadium into a practice field and move their Friday showdowns to a new off campus facility, currently being constructed, off Brindlee Mountain Parkway in north Arab.
Before the Knights christen their new home in the fall of 2018 they have one contest remaining on 4th Street. The last hoorah for the 37 year old venue will fittingly come against the Knights most bitter rival, the Guntersville Wildcats. Pulling out a win in this one will be a tall order for Adam Gilbert’s Arabian Knights, The Cats bring a 7-1 record and top ten ranking up the mountain to face the 2-7 Knights.
PrepsNet will have a full recap of the Marshall County showdown but first here are a few Arab Stadium facts to get your ready for Friday Night.
First Game – September 5th 1980 (Albertville 14 – Arab 12)
First Victory – September 26th 1980 (Arab 21 – Guntersville 17)
Overall Record – 75 Wins, 113 Losses
Seating Capacity – 3,000
Number of head coaches to lead the Knights at The Pit – 9
- Wayne Trimble – 1973-1983 (55-51-3)
- Ken Beard – 1984-1987 (9-31)
- Richard Littleton – 1988 (3-7)
- Larry “Pod” Patterson – 1989-1994 (41-22)
- Mike Shipp – 1995-1997 (5-25)
- Randy Halmark – 1998 (0-10)
- Keith Garner – 1999-2005 (20-51)
- Watt Parker – 2006-2013 (35-48)
- Adam Gilbert – 2017-Present (16-25)
Head Coach with the most wins at The Pit – Watt Parker (19 wins, 21 losses)
Head Coach with the best home winning percentage – Larry “Pod” Patterson (18 wins, 11 losses)
Number of AHSAA state playoff games hosted – 2
- November 12th, 1993 (Huffman 9 – Arab 7)
- November 7th, 2003 (Gadsden 34 – Arab 14)
