Detroit Sports Commission announces 2019 Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic Schedule (Story)

DETROIT (2/14/19) -- The Detroit Sports Commission (DSC) announced today the matchups for the 15th annual Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic to take place Aug. 29-31 at Wayne State University in Detroit.

Highlighted by six games that include the Division 1, 2 and 3 defending Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) state champions, the showcase lineup will also feature past state champions, two first-time matchups, and three new participants.

“The Detroit Sports Commission is pleased to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic and announce what we believe to be a must-see lineup of games,” said Kris Smith, DSC director. “Thanks to Xenith’s support, we have a great collection of teams, bands, cheerleaders and fans from high schools who get to experience this signature event in the city of Detroit.”

The Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic will kick off at 4 p.m. on Aug. 29 with the first-ever clash between Birmingham Brother Rice and Utica Eisenhower. In the nightcap, 2018 MHSAA Division 1 state champion Chippewa Valley will face off with Saline at 7 p.m.

On Aug. 30, first-time Prep Kickoff Classic participants Grosse Pointe South and Birmingham Groves will play at 4 p.m. followed by the 2018 MHSAA Division 2 state champion Warren De La Salle against 2018 MHSAA Division 3 finalist Muskegon at 7 p.m.

Detroit Catholic Central and 2018 MHSAA Division 3 state champion Detroit Martin Luther King will square off for the first time since 2001 in the Aug. 31 opener. The finale will feature a first-time matchup between Detroit Cass Tech and Wendell Phillips Academy (Chicago, Ill.), who captured the Class 5A football titles in 2016 and 2017.

Thursday:

4 pm - Brother Rice vs. Eisenhower

7 pm - Chippewa Valley vs. Saline

Friday:

4 pm - Grosse Pointe South vs. Groves

7 pm - De La Salle vs. Muskegon

Saturday:

1 pm - Detroit King vs. Detroit Catholic Central

4 pm - Cass Tech vs. Chicago Phillips, IL

Detroit-based football brand Xenith returns as title sponsor of the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic helping infuse resources and support to continue advancing the event to secure prestige and recognition. Xenith is the recognized leader in helmet technology and exclusively produces Five-Star helmets under the widely accepted Virginia Tech rating system, and all Xenith helmets score in the Top-Performing Group of the NFL Laboratory Testing Performance Results.

“For the 3rd year in a row, we are proud to be the title sponsor for the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic,” said Ryan Sullivan, Xenith CEO. “We are dedicated and passionate about supporting the Detroit community and youth athletics. As an established helmet company based in Detroit, Xenith is thrilled to continue our support during this weekend celebration of high school football.”

Tickets are available online at detroitsports.org/pkctickets with a portion of the proceeds benefitting each school. For a limited time only, fans will receive 15 percent off their order in honor of the event celebrating 15 years. One ticket grants admission to all games on that particular day.