Four-time reigning state 7A champion Thompson will take on Opelika in one of two football games for the 2023 AHSAA Kickoff Classic at Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl.

The Warriors and Bulldogs will play at 7 p.m. Aug. 25. Selma and Beauregard will open the 18th annual Kickoff Classic on Aug. 24.

Both games will be televised over the AHSAA TV Network and live streamed over the NFHS Network.

“We are ecstatic to kick off the 2023 season with these two matchups involving four great programs steeped in tradition,” said Brandon Dean, Director of the AHSADCA.

Thompson won its fourth straight title a year ago, downing Auburn 49-24 in the championship game behind the play of eighth-grade quarterback Trent Seaborn, who was named MVP. The Warriors faced a rugged schedule a year ago, losing their first two games to out-of-state teams and falling in the regular-season finale against Hoover.

But Mark Freeman’s team rolled through the playoffs to win another title and finish 10-3. Seaborn obviously returns this year as does all-state running back A.J. Green and defensive back Anquon Fegans. The Warriors must replace Class 7A Lineman of the Year Peter Woods, now at Clemson.

“We are excited to be returning to the AHSAA Kickoff Classic event in Montgomery,” Freeman said. “We enjoyed a great experience in 2018 against James Clemens when the Classic was called the ‘Champions Challenge,’ and we look forward to a great experience in August versus Opelika. Coach (Erik) Speakman does a tremendous job, and Opelika has a great program.”

Speakman and Opelika are looking to bounce back from a 5-5 season in which the Bulldogs missed the playoffs in their first year in 7A. Opelika returns quarterback Roman Gagliano in an attempt to get back to the postseason.

“We have always taken pride in playing a tough schedule and this game with the four-time defending 7A state champions proves that,” Speakman said. “Coach Mark Freeman and his staff have done an incredible job of building the Thompson program into a national power, and we look forward to competing against them in the season opener.”

Selma went 7-4 a year ago, losing to Tallassee in the first round of the 5A playoffs. Beauregard went 10-2, losing at UMS in the second round of the playoffs. Selma and Beauregard also played in the season opener in 2022 with the Hornets winning 21-16.

AHSAA Kickoff Classic History

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

Carver-Montgomery 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, Carver-Montgomery 30

Gordo 28, Glencoe 21

Madison Academy 19, Leeds 14

2014

Spanish Fort 42, Stanhope Elmore 14

Opelika 20, Carver-Montgomery 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 of 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 8

2009

Prattville 37, Carver-Montgomery 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