Future Bridges Kick Off Classic

[BigSneaky]

Bridges game may see change

 

By Jim Masilak

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October 12, 2004

 

The Bridges Kickoff Classic could be in for a makeover.

 

For four years, the annual season-opening event at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium has pitted the city's top public-school football teams against the county's top private-school teams.

 

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Now, in a bid to spice things up, organizers are looking to include county public schools and, perhaps, out-of-state schools for the 2005 event.

 

Bolton, Houston and White Station have been targeted for inclusion in next season's Kickoff Classic, according to Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau president Kevin Kane.

 

In addition, preliminary discussions have been held with national powerhouse Shreveport (La.) Evangel Christian about participating, and Batesville (Miss.) South Panola and Hoover (Ala.) are also being mentioned.

 

"We've had about the same teams in there every year, and we just want to make sure it stays fresh," said Kane, who added that Christian Brothers, Memphis University School and Melrose are all but certain to take part again next season, and White Station is set to join the mix. No official invitations have been extended.

 

"We don't want to send the message that it's going to be the same six teams indefinitely," Kane said. "We've got a bunch of options. Our first option would be to keep it a Memphis and Shelby County thing, but our second would be to blow it out and make it a national thing."

 

With the Liberty Bowl set to be fitted with field turf next season, wear and tear will not be as much of a concern, and Kane said moving the event back a week is a possibility if it doesn't conflict with the University of Memphis.