Four Middle Georgia teams to compete in annual Macon Touchdown Club Kickoff Classic
High school football kicks off Friday evening across the state, but four programs won’t begin their 2022 campaigns until Saturday afternoon at Mercer’s Five Star Stadium as part of the Macon Touchdown Club’s annual Kickoff Classic.
The first game, which begins at 4 p.m., will feature traditional Houston County powerhouse Northside against Jones County, a team that always travels well due to its dedicated fan base.
Bibb County’s strongest team last season, Northeast, will clash with Mary Persons at around 7:30 p.m. (or 30 minutes after the 4 p.m. matchup ends) in game with deep meaning for the Bulldogs: the Touchdown Club will honor legendary Mary Persons head coach Dan Pitts, who died last April following a battle with Stage 4 lung cancer, in between the two games.
Pitts led the Bulldogs for 39 seasons, recording 346 wins and a state championship.
“Dan Pitts has a deep history in the Mary Persons football program,” Bulldogs coach Brian Nelson said during a kickoff classic press conference Monday. “It means a lot to us to play in a game in which he’s going to be honored.
“All of these programs represent — and all these coaches run their programs — the way that high school football is meant to be. The Touchdown Club did a great job of zeroing in on four teams that represent high school football and do things the right way.”
The kickoff classic operates in two-year cycles, which means the same four teams will play next season.
“I think the Macon Touchdown Club does a phenomenal job taking care of our athletes in Middle Georgia,” Jones County football coach Mike Chastain said. “We really appreciate them for putting this game on at a venue like Mercer, where our guys get to come play at a college stadium.”
Initial weather reports indicate high temperatures will be in the mid-80s Saturday, although there’s a chance of rain as well.
The Macon Touchdown Club meets during the football season at the Methodist Home for Children & Youth on Monday nights to eat, fellowship, listen to guest speakers and celebrate performances by high school football players across Middle Georgia. For more information on the club, visit macontouchdownclub.com.
This story was originally published August 17, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
