High School football begins with The KDKA Kickoff Classic

The high school football season will kick off in style in 2024.

KDKA Radio, the flagship station and official radio partner of the WPIAL, is pleased to reveal their association in presenting the The KDKA Kickoff Classic , LIVE from the Wolvarena to the Western, Pennsylvania region.

On Friday, August 23 and Saturday, August 24, the Classic will feature five exhilarating, must-see high school football games, showcasing legacy, championship-caliber WPIAL and Pittsburgh City League programs, while also welcoming nationally and regionally-recognized teams to the Pittsburgh region.   All five games will be played at the Wolvarena.

“KDKA Radio is the unquestioned and unrivaled high school football outlet in the WPIAL and Pittsburgh City League,” said Audacy Pittsburgh Senior Vice President and Market Manager Michael Spacciapolli.

“The matchups are terrific, and much like KDKA Radio, the Wolvarena is legendary.  As the official radio home of the WPIAL, we have been focused on helping develop a premier event like this to begin what is guaranteed to be an incredible high school football season.”

On Friday, August 23, the McKeesport Tigers , the 2023 4A WPIAL runner-up will battle the Uniontown Lake Blue Streaks at 5:00 p.m.

The Woodland Hills Wolverines will take on Erie McDowell at 8:00 p.m.

On Saturday, August 23, the Clairton Bears will battle 2023 WPIAL 2A runner-up Steel Valley at 12:00 p.m.

2023 WPIAL 6A runner-up Pittsburgh Central Catholic will battle national powerhouse St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, MD) at 3:30 p.m.

Saturday evening features the two-time PIAA 2A runner-up Westinghouse Bulldogs and the Beaver Bobcats at 8:00 p.m.

KDKA Radio will provide award-winning play-by-play of all five games with Dan Zangrilli, Coach Johnny Lee and Suzie Cool on the call. Paul Alexander, WPIAL Insider Karlo Zovko and Post-Gazette High School Sports Editor Mike White will all contribute to the radio coverage over the five-day event.

Nationally recognized as a premier ‘Friday Night Lights’ destination, The Wolvarena, located in Turtle Creek, was built in 1942 for now-defunct Turtle Creek High School.  The stadium was nicknamed the ‘Wolvarena’ in 1987 after the formation of the Woodland Hills School District.

Max Preps listed the Wolvarena as one of the “10 high school football stadiums to see before you die.” ESPN.com also ranked the Wolvarena as the eighth best high school football stadium in the United States.

Tickets to the event are available for purchase here .