FIRST EVER TEXAS FOOTBALL DAYS TO KICK OFF ON AUG. 28
FOX SPORTS SOUTHWEST TO TELEVISE LIVE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL DOUBLEHEADER ON SEPT. 1
FOX Family of Networks Celebrate Football in Texas
FOX Sports Southwest in conjunction with the University Interscholastic League will begin the football season with a live doubleheader on Friday, Sept. 1. Texas Football Days, a new event celebrating the state’s unmatched passion for the sport, was announced today by FOX Sports Southwest and the UIL at the Texas High School Coaches Association’s annual Coaching School and Convention in Houston.
FSSW Texas Football Days will begin with a Texas high school football programming block on Monday, Aug. 28. Each day throughout the week, select classic games will be re-aired. A 14-hour broadcast marathon begins on Friday, Sept. 1 at 11:00 a.m. live from the FOX Sports Southwest Studios. Live looks at gameday activities across the state in between six classic games lead into two live game broadcasts. The featured marquee match-ups will be 3A Shallowater vs. Idalou at Reddell Stadium at 6:00 p.m., followed by the 6A contest between Lake Travis and Converse Judson at D.W. Rutledge Stadium at 8:30 p.m.
“We wanted to create a signature event that celebrates and captures the cultural significance of football in Texas. Our broadcasts will have a limited commercial format, allowing us to tell stories that highlight communities, legends and traditions from the small town schools to the large metropolitan area programs” said FOX Sports Southwest Sr. Vice President/General Manager Steve Simpson. “The UIL, THSCA and THSADA have been instrumental in helping us make this a reality. We are hopeful that Texas Football Days will become an annual event.”
“The UIL is excited to celebrate football across the state of Texas with this unique television event,” said Dr. Charles Breithaupt, UIL Executive Director. “Historically, UIL rules have not allowed for live football telecasts on Friday night, to protect the local community aspects of Friday night games. However, FSSW understands the significance of these games and is committed to showcasing the best high school football in the country. The UIL Legislative Council allowing these two live telecasts is a wonderful celebration to kick off the 98th season of UIL football.”
FOX Sports Southwest’s Erin Hartigan will host the Shallowater vs. Idalou pregame with coaching legend Ken Purcell as analyst. Ted Emrich will serve as play-by-play with Shea Walker as analyst and Erin Hartigan will also serve as sideline reporter at Idalou’s Reddell Stadium.
The broadcast team on-site at Converse Judson Rutledge Stadium for the 6A matchup between Converse Judson and Lake Travis will include FSSW’s Ric Renner and Texas Football Managing Editor Greg Tepper as pregame and halftime analyst. Award winning broadcaster Craig Way will be play-by-play with Gary Reasons as analyst and Jen Hale will serve as sideline reporter.
More than 10 games across the Lone Star state will be part of the live look-ins during the back-to-back live game coverage. FSSW will capture the local pageantry, pride and fanfare throughout the night with features highlighting Texas football legends and stories that connect communities to gridiron history.
FSSW’s signature HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD LIVE show will serve as the postgame show and wrap up the night from San Antonio. The expanded two-hour show returns for its 22nd season this fall with Ric Renner, Greg Tepper and Craig Way, offering complete recaps of Friday night football in Texas with scores, highlight and game reports.
The Texas Football Days celebration will continue on Saturday, September 2 with the start of the college football season. The four games on the FOX family of networks will show features recapping the Friday night high school extravaganza.
