LET'S BEGIN: Cramton Bowl celebrates 100 years with busy docket
Quarterback Bryson McGrew and the Robert E. Lee Generals open the 2022 season on Saturday against the Sidney Lanier Poets at Cramton Bowl. (Graham Dunn)
By GRAHAM DUNN
The celebration of the 100th anniversary of Cramton Bowl gets an early start as the opening of the high school/college football season continues to move up on the calendar.
Although the games open just one day earlier than last year, games on the Cramton Bowl docket open this week with a three-day bonanza followed by a weekend that includes a high school game and a nationally televised NCAA Division II matchup.
Cramton Bowl was home to the first football game on Sept. 20, 1922 when Sidney Lanier played the University of Alabama freshman team.
The season opens with the annual AHSAA Championship Classic, a doubleheader with matchups between Chelsea and Helena on Thursday followed by Auburn and Hoover facing off on the following Friday.
On Saturday, Robert E. Lee and Sidney Lanier renew their rivalry with a 6 p.m. kickoff.
The following week has just one prep game and it will be played on Thursday between G.W. Carver and Daphne. On Saturday, the FCS Kickoff will feature Jacksonville State and Stephen F. Austin at 2:30 p..m.
Carver’s game was moved from Friday to accommodate ESPN’s need of the facilities to prepare for Saturday’s broadcast.
The Jacksonville State-S.F. Austin matchups is one of three collegiate games scheduled at Cramton Bowl this season. The second edition of the Red Tails Classic will be held on Sunday, Sept. 4 with Tuskegee taking on Fort Valley State. The game will be televised on ESPN beginning at 6 p.m.
The annual Camellia Bowl moves off Christmas Day this year and to Tuesday, Dec. 27. It is scheduled for an 11 a.m. kick.
Of the 11 weeks of regular-season high school football, only two feature a single game on a weekend. Those weeks are back to back, Friday, Sept .23 and the following Friday, Sept. 30. Lee plays in both with rival games against Carver and Jeff Davis, respectively.
Prattville will make its lone trip to the bowl on Oct. 13 to face the Generals. There are seven intra-city games on the schedule, down two from the last two seasons.
Stanhope Elmore will make its first regular-season appearance in the bowl for the first time since 2017.
Ironically, Wetumpka has four games scheduled against city opponents but all are home games at Wetumpka Municipal Stadium.
The AISA will also play its three championship games at Cramton Bowl, tentatively scheduled for Nov. 17. The annual AISA All-Star game will be played Dec. 2.
All high school games will start at 7 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays.
2022 CRAMTON BOWL SCHEDULE
All games kick off Friday at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise
AHSAA Kickoff Classic
Aug. 18 (Thur) Chelsea vs. Helena
Aug. 20 (Fri) Auburn vs. Hoover
Aug. 20 (Sat) Sidney Laner vs. R.E. Lee (6 p.m.)
Aug. 25 (Thurs) Daphne at G.W. Carver
Sept. 1 (Thurs.) Park Crossing vs. G.W. Carver
Sept. 2 Opelika at R.E. Lee
Sept. 3 (Sat.) Jeff Davis vs. Sidney Lanier (11 a.m.)
Sept. 4 (Sun) Red Tails Classic: Ft Valley St at Tuskegee (6 p.m.)
Sept. 8 (Thur) Sidney Lanier vs Park Crossing
Sept. 9 Russell Co at G.W. Carver
Sept. 15 (Thur) Auburn at R.E. Lee
Sept. 16 Sidney Lanier vs. Park Crossing
Sept. 17 (Sat) Central-Phenix City at Jeff Davis (11 a.m.)
Sept. 23 G.W. Carver vs R.E. Lee
Sept. 30 Jeff Davis vs R.E. Lee
Oct. 6 (Thur) Stanhope Elmore at Sidney Lanier
Oct. 7 Davidson at Park Crossing
Oct. 13 (Thur) Prattville at R.E. Lee
Oct. 14 (Fri) Sidney Lanier vs G.W. Carver
Oct. 15 (Sat.) Smiths Station at Jeff Davis (11 a.m.)
Oct. 19 (Wed.) City Middle School Championship
Oct. 20 (Thur) Pike Road at G.W. Carver
Oct. 22 Stanhope Elmore at Park Crossing
Oct. 27 (Thur) Dothan vs Jeff Davis
Oct. 27 (Thur) Dothan at Jeff Davis
Oct. 28 Enterprise at R.E. Lee
Oct. 29 (Sat) YMCA Day of Football
Nov. 2-3 (Fri) AHSAA Playoffs (TBD)
Nov. 17 (Thurs) AISA Tripleheader Championship
Dec. 2 (Fri) AISA All-Star Game
Dec. 27 (Tues) Camellia Bowl (11 a.m.)