The 18th annual Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic will feature six games, including a Michigan/Ohio interstate matchup between two teams that finished last season in the High School Football America 300 national rankings, powered by NFL Play Football.
The finale at Wayne State on August 26 will feature reigning Michigan Division 3 state champ Detroit Martin Luther King squaring-off with St. Xavier from Cincinnati. MLK finished No. 190 in our national rankings last season after winning its second straight title. St. X, despite a 5-7 record, was ranked No. 220 after playing one of the toughest schedules in the nation.
The six-game event will feature two other teams that were in our national rankings at the end of 2022.
Before the MLK/St. X game on Saturday, Cass Tech will face Southfield A&T. CT finished No. 251 in America last year.
On Friday, reigning Division 1 champ Belleville will play River Ridge. The Tigers were ranked No. 56 in the final HSFA 300.
Related: Final 2022 HSFA national rankings
The event will kick-off on August 24 with Walled Lake Western playing Waterford Mott. After that game, Chippewa Valley will face West Bloomfield.
“The Detroit Sports Commission is proud to once again kick off the high school football season in Michigan with an exciting lineup of games at a great setting in the heart of Midtown Detroit,” said Marty Dobek, Detroit Sports Commission Deputy Director. “The 2023 event will feature a tremendous collection of high school football teams from Michigan and Ohio and also include school bands and cheerleaders for fans to experience at this annual signature event in the city of Detroit.”
Have you heard the news? The 2023 @XenithFootball Prep Kickoff Classic lineup just dropped! 🔥 Who’s ready? 😤 https://t.co/Sq6McK38i9#XenithPKC pic.twitter.com/XJxhdfFr58
— Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic (@detpkc) March 21, 2023
Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic Schedule
August 24
4 P.M. – Walled Lake Western vs. Waterford Mott
7 P.M. Chippewa Valley vs. West Bloomfield
August 25
4 P.M. – Game opponents to be announced
7 P.M. – Belleville vs. River Rouge
August 26
1 P.M. – Cass Tech vs. Southfield A&T
4 P.M. – Detroit MLK vs. St. Xavier (Ohio)
