As Friday night home games approach for the Dubs football team, excitement increases among supporters, but for North Atlanta students the journey to support their team comes with its challenges. Each week, the thrill of the game clashes with the reality of what feels like a long commute as students must navigate the congested roads of Atlanta to support their school. With no stadium at North Atlanta High School, supporters must brave the rush hour traffic to make their way to Midtown High School, their home away from home.
For underclassmen, the struggle is even more pronounced as the majority of them don’t have the privilege of driving to football games. Many rely on friends or family to get to the games, while others depend on public transportation, which can be unreliable during peak traffic hours. For some, rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft, surge pricing makes this option stressful and costly. Sophomore Ellis Brown loves going to football games to support his team and also spends time with friends outside of school, but finds himself missing out on time with friends before the game, as his focus is mainly on getting there. “It gets hard sometimes to coordinate rides with my friends because sometimes my parents are busy. Hopefully, in the future, we will be able to see a stadium here at North Atlanta to make things a lot easier,” said Brown.
For upperclassmen who can drive, the commute is still far from ideal, especially when rush hour traffic can turn a 20-minute drive into a frustrating hour-long marathon. Although they don’t face the same challenges as the underclassmen, the traffic alone can be exhausting, often causing them to arrive late or miss some of the pre-game excitement. Senior Joshua Anderson who has been attending football games since he was a freshman is not only frustrated with the struggle of getting to the game but also how it impacts school spirit. “It’s hard to get hyped for the games when you’re stuck in traffic for 40 minutes, and on top of that having to spend a lot of money on gas adds to the hassle,” said Anderson.
The ongoing commute to Midtown High School for football games is a source of frustration for North Atlanta students, from underclassmen who struggle to find rides to upperclassmen dealing with raging Atlanta traffic and soaring gas prices. Despite the obstacles, students remain committed to supporting the Dubs in their ongoing pursuit to make North Atlanta history. However, the dream of a stadium at the school resonates with many. A local stadium would encourage more fans to cheer on their team without the added stress. Until then, North Atlanta supporters will continue to navigate the challenges of the commute, fueled by their spirit and commitment to show support.
