al.com Champions Challenge Game Is Cancelled   
 
            Due to the high possibility of severe weather today, the third annual al.com Champions Challenge high school football classic at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery has been canceled.

            AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese, after consulting the National Weather Service, said, “We regret to have to cancel the game, but in the best interest all concerned we realize it is necessary. We do not plan to re-schedule the game.”

            The pre-season Classic, which was to pit two-time defending Class 6A state champion Prattville against Top-10 power Oxford at 7:05 p.m. tonight, was not going to count on either team’s record.

The Lions open the regular season next Saturday, Aug. 30, in Cincinnati, Ohio, against Ohio state champs St. Xavier in the Herbstreit prep football classic. Oxford goes to Alexander City in its season opener next Friday night, Aug. 29, to face Benjamin Russell.

            The al.com Champions Challenge, coordinated by the AHSAA’s Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association and scheduled to be televised live by Sinclair Broadcast Group statewide, started in a 2006 doubleheader with Hoover beating UMS-Wright and Clay County downing Addison. Last year, Prattville, which currently owns a 30-game overall win streak, won the second Champions Challenge 36-3 over North Gwinnett, Ga.

            Savarese said he was expecting an outstanding game and a very large crowd. “We’re disappointed we can’t play the game.  The National Weather Service told us there is a good possibility Montgomery will be under a tornado watch later today. We know we can’t put our fans and teams in possible harm’s way.”

            Bad weather is expected as the remnant of Hurricane Fay moves through Alabama today and tonight.