Get ready for an exciting event as the Carolina Panthers host their first-ever Keep Pounding High School Classic at Bank of America Stadium! The game will feature two powerhouse teams, Rock Hill Northwestern and Charlotte Providence Day School, in a regional matchup to kick off the season. Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 19th at 7 p.m. to witness history in the making as high school football takes center stage at the home of the Panthers.
Yesterday, the coaches and players from both schools gathered at Bank of America Stadium for a special event to announce the upcoming game.
“This game is really meaningful to me as the coach of the Panthers in this stadium,” Panthers head coach Frank Reich said at Monday’s event. “My dad was a longtime high school football coach for many, many years. I grew up as a little kid going to high school football training camps and games. Those are some of my best memories. If you talk to our players, any one of them will tell you how high school football impacted their lives.”
Coach Page Wofford of the Trojans, representing Northwestern High School and the Rock Hill community, expressed his excitement about this unique opportunity for his players and the community.
“We’re so thankful to the Panthers to be a part of this great opportunity,” Wofford said. “All of our great alumni, including NFL draft picks, put us in this position to be here today. I’m thankful that football gives our kids the opportunity to be on this stage, but we know that our job is to use football to help these young people grow into better people and better adults.”
After a successful 14-2 campaign and an appearance in the SCHSL Class AAAA state championship game, Northwestern High School is gearing up for the 2023 season.
Providence Day head coach Chad Grier has a unique tie to the Panthers. He coached Ikem Ekwonu, the team’s first-round pick in 2022, during his time at Providence Day until 2018. Additionally, Grier’s son, Will Grier, is a former quarterback for the Panthers.
“Myself and my family have always had such pride in this stadium and this team,” Grier said. “We had PSL tickets from the first season and made a lot of memories in this stadium. It’s going to be really special to give another generation of kids a chance to make special memories here.”
In the previous season, Providence Day had a record of 12-1 and claimed their second consecutive NCISAA state championship title.
“Supporting youth and high school football is a pillar of the Carolina Panthers community endeavors,” said Riley Fields, director of community relations for the Carolina Panthers. “The Keep Pounding High School Classic will provide an opportunity to celebrate high school football and the important role that it plays in communities across our region. I’d like to thank David and Nicole Tepper for their enthusiastic support of this game and their support in the many ways that the Panthers organization works to serve youth and high school football in the two-state region. I would also like to thank Panthers team president Kristi Coleman for her committed support.”
Keep an eye out for ticket sales this summer, as they will become available for only $5! This affordable price point makes it accessible for high school football fans and the community to attend the game. More information regarding the ticket release will be available soon.