Tuesday, Aug 17th, 2010

Two of the most heated annual rivalries in Central Arkansas will be contested in the ArkansasSports360.com/103.7 The Buzz Arkansas High School Kickoff Classic, presented by First Security Bank on Aug. 30-31 at War Memorial Stadium AT&T Field.

Pulaski Academy and Central Arkansas Christian, which yearly have filled their respective stadiums to the max, will tangle on Monday, Aug. 30, in the 53,000-seat War Memorial Stadium. That showdown follows a 5 p.m. matchup between Vilonia and Sylvan Hills, two Class 5A teams hoping for deep postseason runs. Vilonia is led by one of the top junior running backs in Arkansas, James Sax.

Cabot and Jacksonville, which have staged their annual showdown on their home fields to open recent seasons, bring their game and their many followers to War Memorial on Tuesday, Aug. 31. That showcase game will follow an all-Little Rock battle at 5 p.m. between the Capital City’s two best public-school teams from 2009: Little Rock Parkview and Little Rock Mills.

Six of the eight programs in the Kickoff Classic were 2009 playoff teams and will have an eye on this year’s state finals, to be contested in December at War Memorial Stadium.

The football extravaganza will also serve as the debut event for the new $9 million pressbox, built during the off-season. War Memorial’s 44-year old pressbox was torn down beginning in mid-December last year and replaced by a four-story facility that will have six skyboxes, two elevators and twice as many “club” seats, plus more room for media.

Tickets for each day’s games are $7 and are being sold in advance by the home teams in the event: CAC, Sylvan Hills, Little Rock Parkview and Jacksonville. Contact those schools for advance sales. Tickets will also be available at the stadium on game days.

In last year’s inaugural event, Fayetteville defeated Little Rock Central behind the passing of Razorback commitment Brandon Allen; Auburn signee Michael Dyer led Little Rock Christian to a thrilling win over Pulaski Oak Grove; Watson Chapel showed off its might in a win over Warren; and CAC put away Dollarway.

The goal for ArkansasSports360.com and The Buzz, starting with last year’s games, was to make the Kickoff Classic an annual event.

“We already work very hard on our local shows to focus attention on high school sports, and this two-day event gives us another chance to showcase the prep talent, including some of the top recruits in all of Arkansas,” said Justin Acri, program director of The Buzz. “Any time we get a chance to make these players and coaches feel special and be part of a great event at a great venue like War Memorial Stadium, we want to take advantage. 

Jeff Hankins, publisher of ArkansasSports360.com, said, “Playing at War Memorial is a fun opportunity for both the teams and their fans. And by playing early in the week, football fans will have the chance to see some players they might not otherwise be able to see during the regular season.”

The 7:30 p.m. games will be broadcast live on The Buzz.