Photo: StudentandAthlete
Oak Park senior Phillip Stewart (4) runs for a 29-yard touchdown on Thursday against Utica Eisenhower.
The 2018 Michigan high school football season kicked off Thursday, Aug. 23, with the state’s premier showcase – the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic, at Wayne State University in Detroit – and continues through Saturday, Aug. 25.
Oak Park convincingly avenged last season’s loss to Utica Eisenhower in the Classic’s opener on Thursday, as the Knights rolled past the Eagles, 31-13.
Novi Detroit Catholic Central opened its season by pounding Walled Lake Western 28-7 in the nightcap.
Two games are scheduled for today (Friday) and three games are scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday).
The event is operated by the Detroit Sports Commission and is sponsored by Xenith football helmets.
Tickets are on sale for the remaining five games through each school’s athletic department at a discounted price of $9 and are good for admission to all games on the particular day. Tickets at the gate are $10 on game day. Tickets can also be purchased online at detroitsports.org/pkctickets.
The event was launched in 2005 as the Big Day Prep Showdown and hosted by Eastern Michigan University. The event moved to Wayne State University in 2012.
Below are results/schedule for the 2018 Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic:
Thursday, Aug. 23
With a lineup filled with Division 1 talent, the Knights powered past the Eagles. Ohio State commit Dwan Mathis rushed for two touchdowns. He also connected with Jesse Brown for a 26-yard touchdown pass. Defensive back Enzo Jennings recovered a fumble and returned it 49 yards for a touchdown. Phillip Stewart rushed for a 29-yard touchdown. It was Oak Park’s sixth appearance in the Classic.
> Oak Park dominant in victory over Utica Eisenhower: three takeaways
> Top recruit Justin Rogers overshadowed by speedster Phillip Stewart
> Oak Park's Mathis still committed to Ohio State
> Oak Park beats Utica Eisenhower
Senior Keegan Koehler rushed for 244 yards on 25 carries and scored two touchdowns (seven yards and 16 yards) and to lead the Shamrocks past the Warriors. Senior Bryson Trantham (10 yards) and junior Jack Birks (one-yard) each added touchdowns. The Catholic Central defense was stellar in holding down the potent Western offense.
> Koehler makes amends as Detroit CC steamrolls Walled Lake Western
Friday, Aug. 24
Allen Park (5-4 in 2017) vs. Trenton (5-5 in 2017), 4 p.m.
Allen Park and Trenton, Downriver League rivals, will face off in Friday's first Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic contest at Wayne State University. Trenton, which beat Allen Park last season for the first time since 1998, have made four straight trips to the state playoffs. Allen Park missed the playoffs last year for the first time since 2009.
Davison (9-2 in 2017) vs. Southfield A&T (4-5 in 2017), 7 p.m.
Davison and Southfield A&T return to the Classic for a second straight season after Davison won a triple-overtime thriller 56-54 last year. Southfield A&T is coming off a disappointing 4-5 season after making the playoffs in its first season in 2016. Southfield merged with Southfield-Lathrup in 2016. Davison is led this year by a new head coach, Jacob Weingartz, after reaching the playoffs the past three seasons.
Saturday, Aug. 25
Center Line (5-4 in 2017) vs. Madison Heights Madison (12-1 in 2017), noon
Madison Heights Madison and Center Line will clash for the first time since 2015 when they meet in the Classic. Madison is coming off one of the most successful seasons in its history, reaching the state semifinals. Center Line is also coming off a strong season and looks to make the playoffs for the first time since 2005.
Detroit Cass Technical (9-3 in 2017) vs. River Rouge (10-3 in 2017), 3 p.m.
Detroit Cass Technical is returning to the Classic for the first time since 2016, while River Rouge is making its third straight trip to the event. It will be the first meeting between the two state powerhouses. Both teams are coming off trips to the state semifinals last season.
Detroit Martin Luther King (11-2 in 2017) vs. East St. Louis (Ill.) (10-2 in 2017), 6 p.m.
The Classic will end with a must-see matchup between King, which has made three straight state semifinal appearances, and East St. Louis, the winningest high school football program in the state of Illinois. King will be making its eighth trip to the Classic, while East St. Louis, the winner of eight state championships in Illinois, will be making its first.
About Detroit Sports Commission: The mission of the Detroit Sports Commission is to market and sell metro Detroit as a premier destination for regional, national and international amateur sporting events. The DSC is a not-for-profit charitable organization, IRS 501 (c)(3), and a subsidiary of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau.
About Xenith: Detroit-based Xenith was founded on a mission to put athletes first and improve football safety. Their progressive approach to helmet technology disrupted a long-complacent industry for the better – and season after season, Xenith keeps raising the bar. Designed for the committed athlete, Xenith products enable the athlete's pursuit with advanced fit, feel, style, and an innovative approach to safety & technology. Every Xenith helmet achieves top safety ratings, which enables every athlete to take the field with the confidence to play at their best. This athlete-centric philosophy doesn't stop at safety. Xenith designs for needs that transcend protection, pushing the boundaries of fit, feel, comfort, durability, performance and style. Xenith stays ahead of the game with a tireless work ethic and nonstop drive to innovate for football's fast-changing-landscape.