GAINESVILLE – In September 2022, my predecessor and current Gainesville Sun sports editor Ainslie Lee wrote about Citizens Field .
The field conditions had just forced the cancellation of the Buchholz-Eastside rivalry — a game both fanbases await each season.
Over two years later, I am happy to report: Absolutely nothing has changed.
As I sit here late on Friday night, having just changed out of my soaked clothes, the situation has repeated itself.
The highly anticipated rivalry game between Buchholz and Gainesville High was called off in the second quarter due to “unplayable field conditions.”
The ‘Cats led the Hurricanes 21-7, with the contest set to resume Monday at 6 p.m. from Citizens.
The postponement represents another ugly chapter in the recent history of the venerable stadium.
The stadium, in operation since 1948, is truly iconic. NFLers like Clinton Portis and Anthony Richardson passed through its gates.
In recent years, though, Citizens has turned into a catastrophe, not a calling card for the ‘Cats, ‘Canes and Rams.