Crowd concerns return as Catoosa’s McNabb Field selected to host 6A-I semifinals

Last year’s Class 6A-I semifinal crowd in Rogers County was tight, and this time the stadium is even smaller.

For the second-straight season, Rogers County will host the biggest high-school football games in Oklahoma, but instead of Claremore’s packed-to-the-brim Lantow Field, the spotlight shifts to Catoosa’s Frank McNabb Field, and the complaints have already arrived.

Just like in 2024, the controversy isn’t about who is playing, but about where.

McNabb Field holds approximately 5,200 fans, which is fewer than Claremore’s 5,300-seat capacity that overflowed with spectators a year ago. Yet the OSSAA has scheduled two Class 6A-I semifinals there at 7 p.m. Friday:

Broken Arrow vs. Bixby

Owasso vs. Jenks

Here is the kicker — Broken Arrow High School has more students than McNabb Field has seats, with an enrollment nearing 6,000.

If someone wants to see the best football Oklahoma has to offer they may want to clear their Friday afternoon because when the gates open, it could be standing-room-only within minutes.

Last year’s semifinals in Claremore brought statewide attention and congestion, with fans spilling into walkways and lining fences.

Despite the grand game-day atmosphere, some argued a 6A-I game never should’ve been placed at a small venue.

Parking will be limited, seating will be scarce and demand will be off the charts.

The move has fueled familiar reactions across social media, with frustration over capacity, concerns about safety and crowding and disbelief that the state’s marquee playoff round keeps landing in small venues

For Rogers County, however, it means something else that two of the biggest games in Oklahoma are happening right here.