Youngsville, LA (August 15, 2025) – The wait is over for Southside High School football fans. On Friday, students learned that their new stadium will officially be called “The Reef,” and they’ll get to fill its stands for the first time when the Southside Sharks open their season at home on Friday, September 5, 2025, against Notre Dame of Acadia Parish.
Construction on The Reef began in the spring of 2024. As of today, the $8.5 million stadium is play-ready and waiting to welcome fans for its historic debut.
The announcement came during a school assembly, where a 30-second video showcased drone footage of the stadium’s construction and completion before revealing the name. The selection of “The Reef” came from a community group who also considered “Shark Stadium” and “The Abyss.”
“The group is excited about naming it The Reef, and I was so happy to see the students fired up about it,” said Southside Principal Allison Bloomer. “The coaches are already planning to add a red flag to the top of the stadium box. At the beach, a red flag means danger, and they want opponents to know they’ll be in trouble against the Sharks.”
For the past eight years, the Sharks have played “home” games at Teurlings Catholic, St. Martinville, and Comeaux High School. Now, fans will finally have the chance to cheer from their own stands.
The Reef features 3,000 seats for Shark fans and 1,500 for visitors. The turf field is emblazoned with Shark logos and school colors, creating an unmistakable home-field advantage.
