KICKOFF CLASSIC SET: Carver returns for fifth appearance; Reeltown to make first trip to Classic
Tae Martin and the Reeltown Rebels will play in the 2024 AHSAA Kickoff Classic against T.R. Miller on Aug. 22 at Cramton Bowl. (Jason Caldwell)
By GRAHAM DUNN
G.W. Carver’s football program may not have a head coach at the moment, but it does know which team it will open the 2024 season against in August.
The Alabama High School Athletic Association announced the matchups for the 2024 Kickoff Classic, set for Aug. 22-23 at Cramton Bowl.
The Wolverines, a Class 7A team in ‘24, will face Vestavia Hills in Friday’s game. Thursday’s game will feature Reeltown and T.R. Miller.
“We are thrilled to have these two matchups involving four great programs steeped in tradition,” said Brandon Dean, director of the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association (AHSADCA), who announced the pairings Tuesday. “We appreciate the administration and coaches of each school for allowing us to highlight their programs here in Montgomery.”
Carver last played in the game in 2019, defeating cross-town rival Jeff Davis, 18-13. This will be the fifth time to be in the Classic having faced Prattville (2009), Opelika (2014), and Bob Jones (2015) in the other games. The Wolverines are 1-3 in the previous appearances.
The appearance will tie Hoover with the most in the Kickoff Classic history which dates back to 2006.
Their opponent, Vestavia Hills, will make its first-ever appearance in the game. The Rebels finished 9-3 last season, losing to Thompson in the second round of the playoffs.
The Montgomery Public School system has yet to announce the new coach to replace Marcus Gardner, who coached three years with the Wolverines. The program will have the benefit of the addition of players from Sidney Lanier High School, which will close its doors after the 2023-24 school year.
Reeltown reached the Class 2A finals last season, falling to Fyffe in the championship game.
T.R. Miller (3A) has been a perennial powerhouse for several years, tied for the most wins in state history with 726. The two teams have never faced one another. This will be the second trip to the Classic for T.R. Miller, which defeated Leeds 27-7 in 2009.
Reeltown (2A) is making its first appearance.
AHSAA Kickoff Classic History
2023
Thompson 44, Opelika 13
Beauregard 29, Selma 6
2022
Helena 28, Chelsea 6
Auburn 17, Hoover 14
2021
Handley 55, Guntersville 21
Dothan 42, Bob Jones 32
2020
Pike Road 63, Montgomery Catholic 34
Prattville 40, Wetumpka 10
2019
Hoover 17, Central-Phenix City 14
G.W. Carver 18, Jeff Davis 13
2018
Clarke County 20, Sweet Water 14
Thompson 38, James Clemens 7
2017
Hewitt-Trussville 49, Pell City 10
Maplesville 20, Fyffe 7
2016
Andalusia 34, Brooks 13
Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 42, Demopolis 7
Hoover 23, Central-Phenix City 7
2015
Bob Jones 37, G.W. Carver 30
Gordo 28, Glencoe 21
Madison Academy 19, Leeds 14
2014
Spanish Fort 42, Stanhope Elmore 14
Opelika 20, G.W. Carver 16
Dadeville 14, Piedmont 8
2013
Benjamin Russell 28, Walker 14
Straughn 35, Walter Wellborn 26
Bob Jones 23, Enterprise 20
2012
Spanish Fort 33, Muscle Shoals 22
Central-Clay County 25, Beauregard 13
McGill-Toolen 27, Northridge 0
2011
Hueytown 36, Thomasville 27
Hamilton 38, Sweet Water 35
Daphne 24, Clay-Chalkville 21
2010
Opelika 34, Greenville 6
Auburn 30, Spain Park 3
Jackson 30, Trinity Presbyterian 8
2009
Prattville 37, G.W. Carver 0
T.R. Miller 27, Leeds 7
Hoover 32, Oxford 27
2008
Prattville vs. Oxford (canceled due to inclement weather)
2007
Prattville 36, North Gwinnett, Ga. 3
2006
Hoover 38, UMS-Wright 0
Clay County 41, Addison 6