al.com Champions Challenge Set For Live TV
The third annual al.com Champions Challenge Prep Football Classic Aug. 23 will be televised live via statewide television, according to The Alabama Sports Foundation that negotiated the deal with The Sinclair Broadcast Group on behalf of the Alabama High School Athletic Association.
Sinclair, which owns TV stations WABM (My68) and WTTO 21 in Birmingham, will handle the telecast of the preseason exhibition game hosted by the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association and the AHSAA.
The Classic, to be played at Cramton Bowl Aug. 23 with a kickoff set for just after 7 p.m., is sponsored by al.com and pits two-time defending Class 6A state champion Prattville and top 10 power Oxford.
WABM and WTTO General manager J.C. Lowe said Thursday that Sinclair is proud to be a part of high school football in Alabama. “We are happy to broadcast this game. High school football means so much to this state and we think it is an outstanding match-up of two great teams.“ Lowe said. Details of the broadcast, including the announcing team, will be finalized Friday.
We are very happy that Sinclair has agreed to partner with the AHSAA to televise this game across the state,” said AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese. “This game will be the only one in the state on Saturday night, Aug. 23, and will showcase two of our most successful school programs.”
The Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today, plans for a statewide network. Sinclair owns and operates programs or provides sales services to 58 television stations in 35 markets.
"We are excited to partner with Sinclair Broadcasting to bring statewide exposure to the game that kicks-off the Alabama high school football season," said Gene Hallman, President of the Alabama Sports Foundation.
Prattville is coming off its second straight 15-0 year, including a 14-0 win over Spain Park in last year’s Class 6A state finals. Oxford is coming off a disappointing season where the Yellow Jackets forfeited seven of their 10 wins in the regular season after it was discovered a transfer student had not met all eligibility requirements.
The first Champions Challenge, which pitted Hoover and UMS-Wright, was televised in 2006 by ABC/33-40 of Birmingham. Last year’s game, featuring Prattville and North Gwinnett, Ga., was televised live by High School TV (HSTV). Prattville won last year’s classic 38-6.
Prattville begins the 2008 football season with a 30-game winning streak, the longest current string in the AHSAA.
Tickets for the Classic are $10 each and will be available at the gate.