For many, thinking back to Friday night high school football games of their past often detours into sentimentality.

Sepia-tinged memories are conjured, of things like playing under daylight-bright lights on dew-moistened grass or finding a spot in the bleachers next to a friend with two free hours to talk loud, laugh and be silly in a carefree setting rarely available on school grounds.

With fond memories of high school football games so common, we got to wondering: What fields and stadiums are worth a visit?

Here are a few of my favorites, gathered with some welcome help from high school football savant Nate Wahl of Prep Redzone, who’s known for crisscrossing the state, rooting out the best in schoolboy football.

DeLaSalle: The field on Nicollet Island, on the fringe of downtown Minneapolis, offers a serene setting on the banks of the Mississippi River with an easily distracting early-evening view of the skyline. There was opposition when it was built 20 years ago; those voices have long since quieted as the anticipated disruption to the island’s character has not materialized. 1 DeLaSalle Dr., Minneapolis.

Minneapolis South: Not that long ago, South played on an unlit, scruffy, hardscrabble field strewn with stones, patchy grass and even broken glass. Tiger Stadium opened in 2019 and has become a must-see field. As at DeLaSalle, the nighttime view of the downtown Minneapolis skyline from the stands on the home side of the field is sublime. 3131 19th Av. South, Minneapolis

South St. Paul: Ettinger Field, with stands built into the hill behind the high school, is a treasure, hearkening back to a time when football fields were made to fit the surroundings. It was created in 1930 and is named for Sam Ettinger, the school’s first football coach and the athletic director until 1968. An added plus is the school saves a couple of spaces in the pressbox for longtime, aging fans. 700 2nd St. N, South St. Paul

Orono: Nestled behind the high school and overlooking Lake Classen, Pesonen Field is another stadium for which the location greatly enhances the game-time experience. The setting sun in early fall warms the field (but can cause glare for fans until it goes behind the trees). It’s then the fall colors show the greatest and make the view spectacular. 795 Old Crystal Bay Road, Orono

Hastings: The first football game on Todd Field took place in 1934, and it has been the home of Raiders football ever since. It’s on a sliver of land tucked between Hwys. 55 and 61 in central Hastings with little room for much else, and it sits in a natural depression that adds a cozy feel. Parking can get a little tight at times, but the stadium’s charm and character more than make up for any inconvenience. 101 10th St. W, Hastings

Columbia Heights: The high school is on one of the highest points of elevation in the Twin Cities, more than 900 feet above sea level, and the builders of the football field wisely took advantage. The sturdy, permanent stands on the home side rise above the horizon and, on a good night, offer jaw-dropping views of the west metro. 1400 49th Av. NE, Columbia Heights

Minnetonka: Football games at large, suburban schools tend to be lively, but a game at Minnetonka takes sensory overload to another level. On a typical Friday night, Einar Anderson Field overflows with fans, students, cheerleaders and dancers, bands and the best food truck scene in metro-area football. Boredom is not a thing at Minnetonka. 18301 Hwy. 7, Minnetonka

Totino-Grace: Fans at Jim Totino Stadium have developed a pretty sweet tradition. When the Eagles score, they toss handfuls of candy around the bleachers. It’s a tradition that should have caught on at other schools long ago. 1350 Gardena Av. NE, Fridley

Rocori: Recently upgraded, “the football field gives off greatest show on turf vibes,” Wahl said. “Especially when the Spartans host Hutchinson. The atmosphere is nuts!” 534 5th Av. N, Cold Spring

Becker: The 2024 Class 4A champs have built a reputation for high-level football and gastronomic satisfaction. Wahl said Becker’s trademark pork chop on a stick “makes my mouth water. There’s a reason when Becker has long lines: pork chops and damn good football.” 12000 Hancock St., Becker

A few more thoughts from Wahl:

Monticello: “The closest seats to the field you are going to find.” 5225 School Blvd., Monticello

Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton: “A hidden gem in Class 2A.” 377 N. Teal St., Janesville

Sauk Rapids-Rice: “Greatest little stadium in Class 5A. Gives off Georgia Southern vibes.” 1000 1st St. S, Sauk Rapids

Princeton: “The Pizza Bowl. A nearly annual tussle between Princeton and Milaca pitting pizza purveyors Pizza Barn (Princeton) and Heggies (Milaca).” 807 8th Ave. S, Princeton

Did we miss one? Got a favorite? Let us know. Email your candidates for this list to preps@startribune.com.