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Allen opens fall practice with first workout at new $59 million stadium

Outside Eagle Stadium, construction crews did landscaping work and cleaned up messes this afternoon. Inside Allen’s new stadium, the Eagles began fall construction on a team that will make its debut in the 18,000-seat stadium in less than three weeks.

“Try to get better every day,” coach Tom Westerberg told the players during a meeting at midfield a few minutes after 4 p.m. Then the team broke into position drills, just as it had done in the first fall practices of recent years.

But of course it was different today. Allen players worked out for the first time in the new stadium, which is projected to cost $59.6 million. Their blue helmets matched the deep blue of the end zones on the new artificial turf — RealGrass Matrix by Hellas — that was installed earlier this summer.

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During parts of the practice, Allen players could look up at the stadium’s large high-definition video screen (38 feet by 23 feet) and see live video of the practice. It was a chance for the video screen to be tested, and the images looked very good, even in the bright sunshine.

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The stadium, which includes a 5,800-square foot practice area and locker room for the wrestling team and a golf practice area, has been under construction for two years. Allen opens the season Aug. 31 against defending 5A Division I champion Southlake Carroll.