Utah’s Monument Valley High School home to one of the best Stadium Backdrops in the Country (PHOTO GALLERY)

Tagged under: Beyond The Keystone, Game Photos-Videos, Gameday Hub, News

Sykotyk | September 4, 2026

I travel around the country visiting out of the way places for high school football games regularly. Some, are more obvious than others. Years ago, another online publication listed Monument Valley’s home field as one of the top ten stadiums to see before you die.

And I agreed. I had stopped by the field on my travels several times over the years. Usually in the summer. When I have no hope of seeing a game at the famed field. Until 2026. Combined with a trip around the western half of the country, Friday August 28th brought me to southern Utah where the Monument Valley Cougars hosted the Panguitch Bobcats in an 8-man game.

Earlier in the day, a threat of rain stayed present. Heavy clouds blocked the sun. Keeping away the originally forecasted 94 degree weather. Throughout the game, rain would pass by to the southeast. Staving off ruining the game.

For those uninitiated, Monument Valley is a flat valley filled with towering rock formations. The remnants of ancient plateaus that eroded away in the vicinity. Leaving behind these monolithic stones and mesas in the red rock. Sitting to the northeast of the school and adjacent field.

I highly recommend a visit when passing through. Barely a mile north of Arizona along US163 before passing through the valley, it is well worth the stop.

For the game on Friday, Monument Valley fell behind early to Panguitch–in their second season of football–and made it interesting before Panguitch ran away with it. Initiating the running clock rule in the 4th quarter. Winning over the host Monument Valley Cougars, 52-14.

The rest of Monument Valley heading southwest toward the school:

For more, and larger, photos of this weekend, click HERE.