The Rodeo Ground with grass sprouting for a season of high school football

This story was written in partnership with the Oregon Seed Council and is part of a series about the council's impact on prep sports in Oregon.

Courtesy of Lydia Froescher of St. Paul

“Down, Set, Hike,” are popular words to many but they take on a different meaning in St. Paul.

This small town is commonly known for its annual 4th of July Rodeo, but the fall brings a different event, football. In just over a month the town takes the rodeo arena, and a field of dirt becomes a unique football stadium.

“The environment is something else compared to most fields,” said 2024 state champion quarterback, and Class of 2025 graduate, Grady Wolf. “Due to the size of the arena, it almost makes the field itself bigger than others. It’s never completely full but being able to see how much of the community is up there in the stands, is awesome.”

With dedication and lots of hard work, volunteers grow a grass field from scratch.

 “It was always a challenge because when you plant the grass, it likes cold weather because it is moist. But here, we have to plant in July which is the hottest month,” said volunteer Steve Davidson. “It creates diseases, but the boys have to play. It takes an army of guys to create it.

“It’s not just about planting but also the goal posts, painting, and watering.”

A few days after the Rodeo clears out, the community gets to work. It is quite a process to grow the field. Planting in the middle of July uses more water than normal to prevent diseases. They monitor everything closely in order to create a thick and healthy field. Their final step is painting and putting in goal posts.

The outcome – a field unlike any other in high school football and with it a community ready for a new season. A new field, a new season, and the St. Paul tradition carries on.

Former linebacker and Class of 1993 graduate, Ken Wolf recalls, “when I was in school my dad was one of the local farmers who planted the grass as soon as the rodeo was over. I remember heading to the rodeo grounds to prep the dirt and after the field was seeded, I would make multiple trips to town each day to move the sprinklers and switch water to make sure it was going to be ready for the first game. There was always a special feeling about being in the rodeo grounds to play a game in front of the town.

“It was also a pretty special feeling to get to watch Grady (his son) play there knowing all the history that has come before us.”

Mr. Wolf's family has been a part of the football program for generations, starting in the 1950s when his dad played for St. Paul and continues with his son Grady Wolf.

 “It’s honestly an unreal experience,” Grady added. “Knowing how much effort is put into that field makes you realize that it’s our whole entire community supporting not only you, but the team and the team’s future. Playing for a team that you know has a history of success makes you feel as though you’re able to succeed as well. It’s cool to see those past players coming to games and supporting the team that they grew up with as well. It makes you feel more like a family than just players and coaches.”

The players continue to work hard to get to the top and the community will continue to give the team a unique field and back them up with support. Seeing the St. Paul community show up time and time again is a wonder.

In 2024 they won the 2A state championship for St. Paul’s first championship in 14 years. Not only did the community show support at the game, but the team was also escorted back by the fire department and celebrated with a potluck.

Many people don’t know the back story of this field. For generations the St. Paul community has put its heart into the St. Paul football program and it has paid off.

Younger kids watch with anticipation knowing they will soon get to play on the grassy field and all the families, young and old, show up to cheer them on. The St. Paul Rodeo Grounds brings together the community over and over again, whether it is the rodeo, planting a field, or football games.

 “The St. Paul community is great on every front, whether it’s businesses or individuals supporting the school and all sports financially or with moral and emotional support,” said Ken Wolf. “Seeing how many people show up for both home and away football games shows how much pride the town has in our school and our kids. That’s part of what makes the program so special. The tradition and support has made the younger kids excited to get their chance to play, which only makes the program stronger.”

St. Paul's first varsity home game of the 2025 season is Friday night, Sept. 19, vs. Santiam Christian.