General | August 27, 2024 | 13:26

Event History
The 2024 Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic (XPKC) marks the 19th year of the season-opening event, founded by the Detroit Sports Commission (DSC) in 2005. Originally held at Eastern Michigan University, the event moved to Tom Adams Field on the campus of Wayne State University in 2012 and has since become an annual fixture in Midtown Detroit, with the exception of a pause in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Once again this year, the XPKC will kick off the 2024 high school football season as Michigan's premier high school football showcase, featuring a diverse range of schools from the Detroit area, outstate Michigan, and neighboring states. Since its inception, more than 100 schools have participated in this event. Beyond the on-field competition, the DSC is committed to creating a "bowl game" atmosphere, celebrating the talents of participating teams, school bands, cheer squads, and fans from across the Midwest.
 
Game Match-Ups
The 2024 Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic will feature an exciting slate of games over two days, showcasing teams from multiple MHSAA divisions. The action begins on Thursday, Aug. 29, at 4 p.m. with Southgate Anderson taking on Trenton, followed by Warren De La Salle vs. Davison at 7 p.m. On Friday, Aug. 30, Belleville will face Clarkston at 4 p.m., and Detroit King will square off against Cleveland (OH) Heights in the nightcap at 7 p.m.
 
New in 2024 - Girls Flag Football Showcase
For the first time in its history, the XPKC will include girls flag football, underscoring the DSC's commitment to community legacy and the promotion of youth sports, with a special emphasis on empowering girls. The Girls Flag Football Showcase, featuring teams from the Michigan Girls Flag Football League established by the Detroit Lions, will see the Birmingham Groves H.S. Lady Falcons face the Lady Wolves of Genesee H.S. on Friday, Aug. 30, at 12:30 p.m. (*Open to participants' families, friends, and media only)
 
"The Detroit Sports Commission's long-standing commitment to women's sports was reinforced through the development of the Living Legacy Initiative, created ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft," said Dave Beachnau, Executive Director of the Detroit Sports Commission. "This initiative focuses on promoting youth literacy and sports, with an emphasis on empowering girls and addressing the factors contributing to their higher dropout rates from sports compared to boys."
 
The girls' flag game will be called by Chris Fritzsching, the voice of the Detroit Lions at Ford Field and Executive Director of the Detroit Lions Football Education program, which launched a girls' flag league in 2023 with 24 teams competing in the spring 2024 league.
 
"We are thrilled to partner with the Detroit Lions to bring girls' flag football to the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic for the first time," added Marty Dobek, Deputy Director of the Detroit Sports Commission. "Our relationship with the Lions has grown significantly through the record-setting 2024 NFL Draft and given the success and expansion of the Lions' girls flag football program, this year was the perfect opportunity to introduce girls' flag football to the XPKC."
 
Championing Girls in Sports – A Panel Discussion
Following the game, a panel discussion will be held at the Matthaei Physical Education Center at WSU for media, featuring local champions of girls and women in sports. Panelists include Erika Wallace, Wayne State University Director of Athletics; Jesse Siordia, Head Coach of Siena Heights University Women's Flag Football; Traci Rubin, former Detroit Demolition professional women's football player; and Ken Fenton, Head Coach of the Detroit Prowl professional women's football team. (*The panel is open to participants, panelists, and media only)
 
Community Impact – NFL FLAG
Building on the momentum and community spirit ignited by the 2024 NFL Draft, the Detroit Sports Commission and the non-profit organization GENYOUth have partnered to create equitable opportunities for physical activity and sports among Detroit youth, with a focus on increasing girls' participation. Funds raised for the GENYOUth initiative are helping to provide NFL FLAG-In-School kits to all middle schools in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties this fall. This initiative supports the DSC's broader goal of fostering an inclusive and empowering environment for girls in sports. At halftime of the De La Salle vs. Davison game, DICK'S Sporting Goods will present a $20,000 grant to GENYOUth to help expand NFL FLAG programs to over 130 Michigan middle schools.
 
Making the XPKC Possible – Football Fun for Fans
The Detroit Sports Commission extends its gratitude to the many supporters of the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic, including title sponsor Xenith and contributing partners: DICK'S Sporting Goods, Detroit Medical Center Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, Milk Means More (United Dairy Industry of Michigan), Meijer, Genisys Credit Union, and Michigan Orthopedic Surgeons. Thanks to these valued sponsors, various interactive football-themed fan activities will be available in the South end-zone area for all ages to enjoy.
 
Broadcast Partners
In partnership with State Champs! Sports Network, all four Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic games will be streamed live. Fans unable to attend can watch Gametime LIVE on the State Champs! YouTube channel (@statechampsnet) or the NFHS network.
 
Watch the Games on YouTube:

• Southgate Anderson vs. Trenton: Link
• Warren De La Salle vs. Davison: Link
• Belleville vs. Clarkston: Link
• Cleveland Heights vs. Detroit King: Link

 
Calling the play-by-play will be veteran local radio and podcast personality Sean Baligian, with analysis by former University of Michigan receiver Grant Perry. The De La Salle vs. Davison game on Aug. 29 will also be broadcast live on WJR in partnership with Sportscaster, a new streaming audio service from StartUp Nation, and will feature a group of local high school student broadcasters providing play-by-play and analysis.

Tickets
Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic tickets can be purchased at detroitsports.org/pkctickets and are $12. One ticket provides admission for both games on the day of the ticket purchased. A portion of ticket proceeds benefits the participating schools.
 
Event Website and Social Media
Website : detroitsports.org/pkc
Instagram : @detpkc
Facebook : Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic
 
About the Detroit Sports Commission
The mission of the Detroit Sports Commission (DSC) is to market and promote 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 (DMCVB). For more information, visit detroitsports.org.