General | February 23, 2017 | 7:50

Oak Park and Utica Eisenhower will meet for the first time on the gridiron when they take the field at the Prep Kickoff Classic on Saturday at 3 p.m.
 
The Eagles, led by class of 2018 quarterback Max Wittwer, are making their first trip to the PKC since 2012.

In 2016, they made their first state semifinal appearance since 2011. Last season, the Eagles were on their way to Ford Field with a 28-25 lead with a little over 30 seconds to play in their semifinal matchup with Cass Tech. It's when five-star wide receiver and class of 2017 Michigan signee Donovan Peoples-Jones outjumped two Eisenhower defenders in the end zone to grab the game-winning score.

As for the Knights, they are making their fifth trip to the Prep Kickoff Classic, and are looking to make their sixth straight state playoff appearance. They bowed out last year in the district championship game to back-to-back Division 2 state champion Detroit King, 34-7.
 
Oak Park will be led by class of 2018 offensive and defensive lineman Marquan McCall plus quarterback Dwan Mathis, who will be a junior in the fall.

Ticket information will be announced at a later date.

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Oak Park Knights  
Head coach: Greg Carter
2016 finish: 7-4 (Lost to Detroit King, 34-7, in the Division 2 district championship round)
All-time record against Utica Eisenhower: N/A (first meeting)
Prep Kickoff Classic record: 2-2 (Last played in 2016; Lost to Detroit Cass Tech, 45-27)   
Key players (year of school that players are entering is indicated): Senior OL/DL Marquan McCall, junior quarterback Dwan Mathis (committed to Iowa State), senior defensive back Robert Daniel (will be defensive captain), sophomore DB Enzo Jennings and sophomore OT and defensive end Justin Rogers.

Season expectations: "Every year, our goal is to be a state champion," Carter said. "We've got a really good group of guys that work extremely hard, and hopefully, we can win it all this year."

Thoughts on playing in Prep Kickoff Classic: "We're very excited," Carter said. "We've played in it numerous times. We've played outstanding teams in the past, and we're looking forward to playing a very exceptional and talented Utica Eisenhower team this year."

He added, "It's really good for us to be challenged in the first game."
 
Utica Eisenhower Eagles  
Head coach: Chris Smith
2016 finish: 12-1 (Lost to Detroit Cass Tech, 32-28, in the Division 1 semifinal round)
All-time record against Oak Park: N/A (first meeting)
Prep Kickoff Classic record: 1-0 (Beat Port Huron, 35-14, in 2012)
Key players: Senior quarterback Max Wittwer, senior receiver Ben Mets, senior OL Derian Doherty, senior defensive end Henry Janeway, senior cornerback Johnny Fantauzzo and senior running back Assad Bujaidar.

Season expectations: "We've got some guys returning, with our quarterback being one of them," Smith said. "We'll gel, bond and play football for each other. That's my No. 1 expectation for the team. The only thing you can control is the chemistry and teaching the fundamentals of football."

Thoughts on playing in Prep Kickoff Classic: "We played in 2012, and it was a great venue for high school football," Smith said. "We really enjoyed the game, and this year is going to be a great experience, too."

He added, "We love that all the (PKC) games are big. And for us, playing against Oak Park will be like a playoff game."

Helmet graphics courtesy of Michigan Helmet Project