News Summary

The Lexington School District has introduced new head football coaches for River Bluff and Lexington High Schools. Perry Parks takes over at River Bluff, bringing extensive coaching experience, while Stewart Young leads Lexington High with notable past successes. Both coaches aim to enhance their respective teams as the new football season begins. Additionally, important athletic venues have been renamed to honor historical figures within the district, reflecting the community’s dedication to tradition and leadership.

Lexington Welcomes New High School Football Coaches Ahead of Fall Season

Lexington, South Carolina – Two high schools in the Lexington School District have announced new head football coaches as the South Carolina High School League kicks off its high school football practice. Perry Parks has been appointed as the head coach of River Bluff High School, while Stewart Young will lead the football program at Lexington High School.

Perry Parks Takes the Helm at River Bluff High School

On Thursday, the River Bluff Gators began their preseason practice at The Swamp, marking the first day of high school football in the district. Perry Parks, a native of Sumter and a former wide receiver at Coastal Carolina University, is stepping into the head coaching position following the retirement of Blair Hardin. Hardin led the Gators to a successful season, achieving 10 wins.

Parks brings extensive coaching experience, including tenures at Lakewood and Ridge View High Schools. He also served as the wide receivers coach at Charlotte before returning to Coastal Carolina for two years. His appointment at River Bluff places him at the forefront of a program that is looking to build upon its recent success.

Stewart Young Takes Charge at Lexington High School

Simultaneously, Stewart Young has been named the new head football coach at Lexington High School. Young steps in to fill the role after Dustin Curtis’s departure. With 21 years of experience at Saluda High School, where he served as head coach for 11 seasons, Young achieved notable success, including a state championship win in 2019 and a record of 93-37 during his time with the Tigers.

Young expressed enthusiasm about his new position and is focused on revitalizing Lexington High’s football program in Class 5A. Both coaches are excited to join supportive districts and navigate the competitive landscape of higher classifications in South Carolina’s high school football scene.

Renaming Honors Past Figures in the Lexington School District

This season also brings a significant change to the athletic venues in the Lexington School District. The local school board has voted to honor prominent past figures by renaming two athletic venues and a track and field meet. The football field at Lexington High School will now be called Bill Stoner Field, while the school’s stadium has been renamed Robert H. Whitney Stadium.

Bill Stoner, who passed away in 2019, was a substantial figure in the district, coaching football, wrestling, and track for 25 years. He is remembered for his efforts in restarting varsity football at Lexington and was the father of the current board president, Keith Stoner. Robert H. Whitney, who served nearly 60 years on the school board, including over 40 years as president, also passed away on January 1, 2024. His contributions to education in the district have left a lasting legacy.

Furthermore, the Lexington Track and Field Invitational has been renamed the Ray Mitchell Track and Field Invitational to honor Ray Mitchell’s 25-year coaching legacy for both boys and girls track. Mitchell founded the invitational in 1975, and his impact continues to influence the district’s athletic programs.

Conclusion

As River Bluff High School and Lexington High School embark on their new football seasons, both communities eagerly anticipate the contributions of their new head coaches. The name changes to athletic venues further contextualize the importance of leadership and legacy within the Lexington School District, highlighting the values of community and tradition.

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Additional Resources

• Cola Daily: Lexington Welcomes New High School Football Coaches
• The State: High School Football Update
• Kentucky.com: High School Sports News
• WLTX: Lexington High School Football
• Zanesville Times Recorder: New Lexington Football Coach
• Google Search: Lexington High School Football Coaches
• Wikipedia: High School Football
• Encyclopedia Britannica: High School

Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER

The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.