Two of the top Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference teams will battle the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference's best in the inaugural Patriot Classic at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.
The six-game event, which will commemorate the 10th anniversary weekend of September 11, is highlighted by Calvert Hall — the reigning MIAA A Conference champions — against DeMatha at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 9 and Gilman vs. Good Counsel — the defending WCAC champs — on Sept. 10 at 7:45 p.m.
Bishop McNamara and Landon kick off the classic at 5 p.m. on Sept. 9. The action begins early on Sept. 10 as Archbishop Spalding takes on Potomac at 10:45 a.m., followed by Annapolis Area Christian and Red Lion (Pa.) Christian at 1:45 p.m. Gonzaga (D.C.) and St. Joseph's Prep (Pa.) square off at 4:45 p.m.
Tony Kennedy, president of Extra Point Productions, said he first contemplated organizing a football event commemorating 9/11 at Navy's stadium five years ago. "I noticed there wasn't anything on the high school level doing this," he said. "We just thought it was the right time to do it."
Each of the six games will honor a different branch of the armed forces, Kennedy said, with presentations acknowledging the Coast Guard and National Guard at the Sept. 9 games. The Sept. 10 games will recognize four military branches — the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy and Army — in order of youngest to oldest.
"Everyone should back what we're trying to do," Kennedy said. "It's not about black or white. If you're American, you should do this. We're going out and taking the lead, so everyone should try to come out and support."