Times Free Press Kickoff Classic jamboree at Finley Stadium
Friday, Aug. 12Brainerd vs. Howard, 6:30Chattanooga Christian vs. Sale Creek, 7:15Grace Academy vs. Boyd-Buchanan, 8McCallie vs. Giles County, 8:45Tyner vs. Hixson, 9:30Saturday, Aug. 13Notre Dame vs. Baylor, 6:30Walker Valley vs. Red Bank, 7:15East Ridge vs. Soddy-Daisy, 8Central vs. Ooltewah, 8:45East Hamilton vs. McMinn County, 9:30Sequatchie Valley Jamboree at South PittsburgFriday, Aug. 12 (Games begin at 7 p.m. EDT)Grundy County vs. Silverdale BaptistBledsoe County vs. Sequatchie CountySouth Pittsburg vs. Lookout ValleyMarion County vs. WhitwellSequatchie County vs. Silverdale BaptistGrundy County vs. Lookout ValleyMarion County vs. Bledsoe CountySouth Pittsburg vs. Whitwell
The high school football jamborees, which signal the beginning of the season, are just three weeks away. The Times Free Press is now the title sponsor of the Kickoff Classic jamboree at Finley Stadium, a two-day event featuring 19 area teams.
The Times Free Press Kickoff Classic, presented by Zaxby's, is set for Friday, Aug. 12, and Saturday, Aug. 13. Also on Aug. 12, the annual Sequatchie Valley jamboree, the state's oldest jamboree, will be held at South Pittsburg.
"The jamboree is always an exciting dress rehearsal for area football fans to see how good their school might be that season," said Kickoff Classic event organizer Stump Martin. "This event has become a Chattanooga sports happening on the must-do list for high school football followers."
The Kickoff Classic schedule has changed slightly, with Giles County replacing Rhea County, which recently opted out of the event. Giles County, which won the Class 4A state championship in 2008 and was state runner-up in 2013, will play McCallie on Friday at 8:45.
The first day's schedule begins with Brainerd playing rival Howard at 6:30, followed by Chattanooga Christian vs. Sale Creek, Grace Academy vs. Boyd-Buchanan, McCallie vs. Giles and Tyner vs. Hixson.
"With Brainerd and Howard again not playing during the regular season, it just makes sense to open the jamboree with them playing each other," Martin added.
The second night's games begin with Notre Dame vs. Baylor at 6:30 followed by Walker Valley vs. Red Bank, East Ridge vs. Soddy-Daisy, Central vs. Ooltewah and East Hamilton vs. McMinn County.
One on-the-field change from years past is that teams will now each play one 30-minute period with a running clock, rather than a 20-minute period with clock stoppages. There will be 15 minutes between quarters to allow the next two teams to warm up.
The jamboree will also be the debut for five head coaches who are going into their first season with new programs - Howard's John Starr, CCS's Mark Mariakis, Boyd-Buchanan's Carter Cardwell, East Ridge's Tim James, who is actually beginning his second stint at his alma mater, and Central's Cortney Braswell.
The eight competing teams in the Sequatchie Valley event will each play in two quarters beginning at 7 p.m. EDT. There will also be a skills competition at that event featuring fastest lineman, fastest back, longest throw, longest punt and extra point/field goal.
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.