Kickoff Classic Best of Preps jamboree
At Finley StadiumAdmission: $8Tonight› Brainerd vs Howard, 6:30› Chattanooga Christian vs Sale Creek, 7:15› Grace Academy vs Boyd-Buchanan, 8› McCallie vs Giles County, 8:45› Tyner vs Hixson, 9:30Saturday› Notre Dame vs Baylor, 6:30› Walker Valley vs Red Bank, 7:15› East Ridge vs Soddy-Daisy, 8› Central vs Ooltewah, 8:45› East Hamilton vs McMinn County, 9:30
Sequatchie Valley jamboree
At South Pittsburg High School7 Eastern tonight› Grundy County vs. Silverdale Baptist› Bledsoe County vs. Sequatchie County› South Pittsburg vs. Lookout Valley› Marion County vs. Whitwell› Sequatchie County vs. Silverdale Baptist› Grundy County vs. Lookout Valley› Marion County vs. Bledsoe County› South Pittsburg vs. Whitwell
The field is lined and the lights will shine bright once again as the dress rehearsals for the high school football season, also known as the prep jamborees, begin tonight.
The Times Free Press is now the title sponsor of the Kickoff Classic Best of Preps jamboree, presented by Zaxby's, being played tonight and Saturday evening at Finley Stadium. There will be 19 area teams in action over the next two nights, beginning with rivals Brainerd and Howard facing off at 6:30 tonight.
"We are very excited to sponsor the Kickoff Classic jamboree," said Bruce Hartmann, president of the Times Free Press. "We understand the popularity and importance high school football plays in our area, and this is just another opportunity for us to show how committed we are to our community of readers and to prep sports coverage."
An on-the-field change will increase the amount of game time for all teams competing in the Kickoff Classic. Each matchup will be a 30-minute quarter with a running clock - an increase in action that should benefit players, coaches and fans. There will be 15 minutes between quarters to allow the next two teams to warm up.
Following the opener, the rest of tonight's schedule includes Chattanooga Christian vs. Sale Creek, Grace Academy vs. Boyd-Buchanan, McCallie vs. Giles County and Tyner vs. Hixson. Giles, the only team outside the Chattanooga area competing in the Kickoff Classic, won the Class 4A state championship in 2008 and was state runner-up in 2013.
Saturday night's list of games also begins at 6:30 with Notre Dame vs. Baylor, followed by Walker Valley vs. Red Bank, East Ridge vs. Soddy-Daisy, Central vs. Ooltewah and East Hamilton vs. McMinn County.
Five jamboree head coaches are in their first season in charge of their programs: Boyd-Buchanan's Carter Cardwell, Central's Cortney Braswell, Chattanooga Christian's Mark Mariakis, East Ridge's Tim James - who is beginning his second stint at his alma mater - and Howard's John Starr.
"This is the 18th year we've been involved in kicking off the prep football season at Finley Stadium," event director Todd Agne said. "The past several seasons we've focused on being involved with the jamboree, and it's really grown into a special event for the teams and fans from the area.
"It gives the players an opportunity to play in a college stadium and the fans a chance to see 20 of our area teams all in one place. It's always an exciting way to kick off a new season."
Coca-Cola and The Benson Law Firm are also event sponsors.
Also tonight is the annual Sequatchie Valley jamboree, the state's oldest such event, at South Pittsburg High School. The eight competing teams will each play in two quarters beginning at 7 Eastern. There also will be a skills competition to determine the fastest lineman, fastest back, longest throw, longest punt and extra point/field goal.
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.
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