Why the AHSAA Kickoff Classic has a new host site in 2026

When the AHSAA Kickoff Classic between defending champion Thompson and Central-Phenix City takes place on Aug. 20, it won't be in the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery. The AHSAA announced that the game will instead be hosted on campus at Central-Phenix City during the AHSAA Kickoff Classic press conference held at the AHSAA office in Montgomery on Thursday, Aug. 13. It was decision two years in the making when executive director Heath Harmon heard conversations from his staff about it becoming difficult to find teams that were willing to play at neutral site. "We worked as hard as we could up...