CHULA VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — The Castle Park Trojans have been road dogs for the last two seasons as their stadium renovations near completion.
In American team sports, almost nothing compares to the electric atmosphere of a home game. Unfortunately for Castle Park High School’s football team, the roar of support from the home crowd is not something they have been able to enjoy these past two seasons.
That is because the Trojans’ stadium is undergoing a multi-million-dollar renovation, which broke ground in June 2024, after years of campaigning and pressure from the local Chula Vista community.
In May of last year, FOX 5/KUSI covered the groundbreaking of this new project, which is slated for completion in late 2025. According to the article, the remodeled stadium will feature state-of-the-art facilities, including new turf, lights, track, bleachers, concessions and press amenities.
Until then, Castle Park football has had to adopt the mentality of road warriors while awaiting the completion of their revamped home. A feat not easily conquered by many, as struggles last season led to a 2-8 record for the team.
Playing in their second straight season on the road and roughly 19 games (and counting), the attrition of constantly battling against opponents on their turf can weigh on a team.
However, after one season of experience under their belt as full-time road dogs, the Trojans feel this season has been easier to manage, grinding through their trials together as a unit.
The helm of Trojan’s football reflects this, as Head Coach Airrien Smith refuses to make any excuses over the team’s unusual all-away schedule. Instead, his leadership focuses on treating each game as it comes.
“I just treat every game like we’re on the road, so it doesn’t really affect me at all, and the kids who played here last year are used to it as well,” Smith affirmed.
Listening to some of his squad, you can hear this attitude reflected among the players, such as senior running back Yiheng Hu and sophomore wide receiver Aiddien “Smitty” Smith, who both vocalized a much greater familiarity with traveling around the county rather than any discomfort or awkwardness.
“I didn’t really get to have that home football high school experience yet, so it’s something I’m really looking forward to,” the Trojan pass-catcher, “Smitty,” said. “Travelling is just something I am used to now.”
With plenty more football left to play this season, Castle Park will be looking to make sure the task at hand does not escape them. Although that does not mean that excitement about the new stadium is not also buzzing about the locker room.
When asked about the first thing he is looking forward to doing on the new stadium grounds, the sophomore receiver had a big smile and little hesitation in his response.
“I wanna be the first person to score a touchdown in that stadium,” “Smitty” said.
The receiver’s Head Coach had a more nuanced response to the question, but still retained that same confidence reflected throughout his team
“Get that first home win, just be able to touch it and know that any kids who would leave our area because of our facilities, now we have great facilities and they don’t need to leave our school,” Smith said.
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