State Champ Brother Rice to Face Cleveland St. Ignatius at 2013 Prep Kickoff Classic

It's not even baseball season but many are already gearing up for football with the announcement that Division 2 football champions Brother Rice High School will open its 2013 season during the Detroit Sports Commission's Prep Kickoff Classic.

Formerly known as the Big Day Prep Showdown, the Prep Kickoff Classic will be held at Tom Adams Field at Wayne State University Aug. 29-31.

The Warriors, who won the Division 2 state championship for the second time in a row last fall, will face Cleveland St. Ignatius on the last day of the Kickoff Classic, which opens the high school football season every year.

This year's program will feature the most comprehensive grouping of teams in the event's nine-year history, including back-to-back state champions Detroit Cass Tech and top Catholic League teams from Southeast Michigan, Cleveland and Toledo.

“The Detroit Sports Commission is extremely pleased to announce the most diverse schedule of games in the nine-year history of the Prep Kickoff Classic,” said Dave Beachnau, DSC executive director, in a statement. “Our annual goal for this event is to be inclusive and provide a must-see line-up of games featuring top teams and top players in a one-stop-shop setting for high school football.”

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Of Interest: Brother Rice Won't Change Warriors Mascot

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This is the second year in a row Brother Rice has attended the Prep Kickoff Classic. Last year, the Warriors opened the season against defending Division 1 Champ Cass Tech, and fell 25-18.

Additional matchups include:

Thursday, Aug. 29:

• 7 p.m. - Dearborn Fordson vs. Macomb Dakota

Friday, Aug. 30:

• 4 p.m. - Orchard Lake St. Mary’s vs. Oak Park
• 7 p.m. - Detroit Cass Tech vs. Southfield

Saturday, Aug. 31:

• 1:30 p.m. - Brother Rice vs. Cleveland St. Ignatius
• 5 p.m. - Warren De La Salle vs. Toledo Central Catholic

Ticket information not yet available.

For more information on the DSC Prep Kickoff Classic, visit www.detroitsports.org.