Reviewed by: Patience Itson
Alabama high school sports kick off this week—hear from coaches and AHSAA officials
Reading time: 4 minutes
It’s that time of year again to cheer on Alabama high school sports. This year’s AHSAA Kickoff Classic begins tomorrow, August 18 and continues on Friday, August 19 at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery. Cross country, volleyball and flag football are gearing up, too. Read on for details on upcoming high school sports across the state.
See the 2022 Alabama Kickoff Classic
On Thursday, August 18, Shelby County rivals Chelsea and Helena will officially open the AHSAA 2022 football season. The next day, on Friday, August 19, the Hoover Bucs will take on the Auburn Tigers.
Both games will take place at the Cramton Bowl and will begin at 7PM. They’ll be televised over the AHSAA TV Network and live-streamed over the NFHS Network. The AHSAA Radio Network will also broadcast both contests over its statewide radio network.
“It’s that time of the year and we’re excited about the upcoming athletic year for our schools. A lot of our schools, as you know, started last week with a few fall jamborees, but this week kicks it all off for cross country, volleyball and football and we’re excited about the upcoming school year.”
Alvin Briggs, Executive Director, AHSAA
Helena High School, coached by Richard Busby, will face off against longtime rival Chelsea, led by their new head coach Todd Cassity. The two rivals have played every year since Helena launched its program in 2014.
“What better way to open the season than with a rival game to give our kids something to look forward to. Throughout the summer workouts, the grind can get to you, but to know that we get to play a rival early in the year and then to be the first game to kick off the 2022 season is great.”
Richard Busby, Head Coach, Helena High School
Cassity previously coached at J.B Pennington in Blountville, with a 44-36 record across his seven years at the school. In April, The Shelby County Board of Education approved his hiring as the new head football coach at Chelsea High.
“It’s a big deal to the kids, from freshmen all the way up to the seniors, to have this opportunity to play in this. I got to Chelsea in April and I’m still getting to know the kids a little bit. It’s been the talk around the team for the past week or so that we’re going to Montgomery and playing at the Cramton Bowl—it’s been big for our kids as the preparation has gone along this summer.”
Todd Cassity, Head Coach, Chelsea High School
AHSAA Media Day
Along with a press conference for the upcoming Kickoff Classic, several members of the AHSAA team and coaches from across the state made statements about the upcoming season. Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed was also present to ring in the upcoming season.
“We’re grateful to have such great coaches here in the state of Alabama. Great staff, great student athletes, great parents and support. In Montgomery, we want to be not only home to high school football, but college sports as well. We want to partner with AHSAA in many ways.”
Mayor Steven Reed, City of Montgomery
Mayor Reed noted that several exciting upgrades to sports facilities across the city are underway, including soccer and tennis complexes.
In addition to football, volleyball and flag football are also preparing to kick off their seasons. 2021 Class 3A state volleyball championship coach Sarah Dubberley of Trinity Presbyterian School spoke on the hard work and determination of her players.
Meg Larsen, head coach for Smiths Station’s flag football team, is looking forward to the second season of girl’s flag football, AHSAA’s newest pilot sport.
Learn more about the 2022 AHSAA Kickoff Classic here.
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