The Detroit Sports Commission is cancelling the 2020 Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic scheduled for August 27-29 at Wayne State University due to the coronavirus pandemic. The six-game event has been a staple of the Detroit-area’s high school football scene since 2005.
“The Detroit Sports Commission and Xenith are committed to the health and safety of those involved with all of the events we host and/or support,” said Dave Beachnau, Senior Vice President of the Detroit Sports Commission “Since 2005, the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic has provided more than 80 schools in Michigan and neighboring states the opportunity to open their season in a bowl-game like setting on a college campus and we look forward to continuing the tradition at the 2021 Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic.”
Read: COVID-19 and high school football in all 50 states
According to the DSG news release, in support of the event’s participating schools, title sponsor of the Prep Kickoff Classic, Detroit-based football brand Xenith, is keeping its commitment to award three deserving programs with a total of $5,000 in equipment grants through the first ever Xenith Passion, Purpose, & Pride Awards. Beginning Monday, August 3, the public will be able to vote for the program they feel best demonstrates the values of passion, purpose, and pride in their communities, and the top three vote recipients will receive $2,500, $1,500, and $1,000 in Xenith equipment grants.
“Across the board, protecting athletes is what we do at Xenith. It is a difficult decision to not move forward with the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic, but it is the right thing to do for the safety of all involved, on and off the field,” said Ryan Sullivan, Xenith CEO. “The ways these high school football programs are giving back to their communities and demonstrating Passion, Purpose, and Pride during these difficult times is more important than ever and we look forward keeping our commitment to honor those who stand out in these areas through the Passion, Purpose, & Pride Awards this fall.”
Earlier this week, the Michigan High School Athletic Association decided that high school football teams will be allowed to open Fall camps on-time starting August 10. After a week of acclimation, players will be allowed to go with full pads.
Read: MHSAA tweaks the Fall high school football schedule
At this point, the MHSAA hasn’t set a start date for the regular season.
The following matchups were set to take place at the 2020 Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic:
Thursday Aug. 27
Canton vs. Dearborn Fordson, 4 p.m.
Chippewa Valley vs. Detroit Catholic Central, 7 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 28
Birmingham Groves vs. Southfield High School for the Arts & Technology, 4 p.m.
Lake Orion vs. Macomb Dakota, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 29
Detroit Cass Tech vs. Grandville, 1 p.m.
Muskegon Mona Shores vs. River Rouge, 4 p.m.
