PREP PRESASON: Cramton Bowl schedule opens in one week with annual AHSAA Kickoff Classic

Park Crossing coach Charles Biggers and new Carver coach Mario White discuss the upcoming season at the annual RRS Prep Media Day at Garrett Coliseum. (Drew Gayle)

By GRAHAM DUNN

In just over a week, the Cramton Bowl lights will be shining on high school and college football.

The City of Montgomery released its schedule for the bowl with no less than four college games on the slate and, for the first time in a while, high school games set for each of the regular-season Fridays beginning with the annual AHSAA Kickoff Classic on Aug. 21.

Games begin next Thursday with the Classic featuring a couple of local teams, Prattville and Pike Road. Friday’s game features small-school power Fyffe and Maplesville in a “jamboree” game.

The annual FCS Kickoff follows on Saturday, Aug. 23 with Mercer taking on Cal-Davis in a nationally-televised game on ESPN.

ESPN returns again on Aug. 31 for the Red Tails Classic with Tuskegee facing Winston Salem State.

City schools open play at the bowl beginning Aug. 29 when P. Julian faces G.W. Carver. It Is the first of 15 games featuring MPS schools during the regular season. The schedule includes a rare doubleheader on Saturday, Sept. 20 when Russell County plays Park Crossing at 11 a.m. and Pike Road visits Percy Julian at 6 p.m.

Tuskegee is scheduled to return to Cramton Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 4 to face Morehouse with the kickoff time yet to be announced.

There are only four games scheduled for Thursdays. Other River Region teams have multiple dates with Wetumpka making two trips to the bowl on Oct. 9 (Percy Julian) and Oct. 17 (Park Crossing), both in regional action.

Along with the Kickoff Classic, Prattville will finish the regular season against JAG on Oct. 31. Stanhope Elmore will not play at Cramton Bowl this season.

AHSAA playoffs begin on Nov. 6.

The AISA championship games return with a tripleheader on Thursday, Nov. 20.

The IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl is set for Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 8 p.m.

2025 CRAMTON BOWL SCHEDULE (Subject to Change)

Games are Friday and begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise

Aug 21 (Thu.) AHSAA Kickoff Classic: Pike Road vs. Prattville

Aug. 22 AHSAA Kickoff Classic: Fyffe vs. Maplesville

Aug. 23 (Sat.) FCS Kickoff: Mercer vs. Cal State-Davis (6 p.m.)

Aug. 29 P. Julian vs. G.W. Carver

Aug. 31 (Sun.) Red Tails Classic: Winston-Salem St at Tuskegee (6 p.m.)

Sept. 5 G.W. Carver vs. JAG

Sept. 12 Smiths Station at Carver

Sept. 18 (Thurs) Auburn at JAG

Sept. 19 Dothan at Carver

Sept. 20 (Sat.) Russell Co at Park Crossing (11 a.m.)

Sept. 20 (Sat.) Pike Road at Julian (6 p.m.)

Sept. 26 P. Julian vs. JAG

Oct. 2 (Thurs.) Pike Road at Park Crossing

Oct. 3 Rehobeth at P. Julian

Oct. 4 (Sat.) Morhouse St at Tuskegee (Time TBA)

Oct. 9 (Thur.) Wetumpka at Julian

Oct. 10 Central-Phenix City at Carver

Oct. 17 Wetumpka at Park Crossing

Oct. 22 (Wed.) Middle School City Championship

Oct. 24 P. Julian at Park Crossing

Oct. 31 Prattville at JAG

Nov. 20 AISA Championships (TBA)

Dec. 16 (Tues) IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl (8 p.m.)