(6-16-24) Massillon (Washington) will kick-off the 2024 High School football season on August 22nd at the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.

The Tigers will play The NFL Academy (United Kingdom) in the third annual Nike Football Kickoff Classic, an event sponsored by Nike and the NFL.

Massillon also will have on the schedule this season five non-Ohio schools in total …including Bergen Catholic (NJ), Canisius (NY), DeMatha Catholic (MD), Football North (Clarkson ,ONT).

The Tigers are the defending 2023 Ohio Division II state champion after going undefeated to win the title

NFL Academy is scheduled to play at least two other US high schools –

  • October 8th – De La Salle (Calif) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
  • November 8th – IMG Academy (White) at Munich Germany

The NFL Academy web site—

The program promotes elite football performance and player pathway opportunities, with students working to secure football scholarships to U.S. colleges throughout the academic year.

No mention if the Tigers will be receiving OHSAA playoff computer points for this game. The NFL Academy is not associated with any State High School athletic association.

From the OHSAA football General Regulations-

Out-of-State Travel
A football team may travel out of state to compete in contests (scrimmages, previews and games) in states that are contiguous to Ohio regardless of distance to travel. The states include Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The Canadian province includes Ontario. Additionally, a football team may travel to a non-contiguous state or province once per interscholastic season. (Bylaw 9-2-1). Schools must complete the form from the following link when they are participating in a non-contiguous state:
NonBorderingStateApproval.pdf (windows.net)

NFL and Nike to Host Third Annual Nike Football Kickoff Classic (NFL Press Release)

​​NEW YORK — June 13, 2024 — The National Football League in partnership with Nike today announced the third annual Football Kickoff Classic to begin the 2024 high school football season. Hosted at Nike World Headquarters (WHQ) in Beaverton, Oregon on Thursday, Aug. 22.

This year’s boys’ game will feature teams from Massillon High School (Ohio) and The NFL Academy (United Kingdom).

Massillon High School is home to one of the oldest high school football programs in the United States. The historic program dates to 1894, when Massillon played in their first organized game. Entering its 129th football season, Massillon has graduated 41 professional football players and19 collegiate All-Americans while winning 25 state titles and nine national titles. The Tigers’ 948 program wins are the second-most in high school football history. Massillon currently plays at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, named after 1925 graduate and Pro Football Hall of Famer Paul Brown, who coached the Tigers from 1932 to 1940 prior to coaching for the Cleveland Browns and later founding the Cincinnati Bengals.

The NFL Academy, based in the United Kingdom with a second location on Australia’s Gold Coast, is an elite football development program offering talented student athletes the opportunity to combine full-time education alongside intensive training in the sport. Since its inception, more than 40 NFL Academy alumni have secured college football scholarships in the U.S., with over 30 students set to play college football in the 2024 season (19 of those playing in Division 1 programs).

Roman Oben, vice president of NFL Football Development

“The Nike Football Kickoff Classic brings fresh excitement to the start of the high school football season. For the third consecutive year, Nike has given us something to look forward to as the season begins. This year, we’re adding an international twist with the NFL Academy facing off against Massillon. The experience these teams will share will be unforgettable. Congratulations to all the high school football players this year.”

The collaboration between Nike and the NFL continues to amplify the kickoff of the high school season and allow each of the participating boys and girls high school teams to play in one of the most unique experiences in the country.

The experience at Nike also allows student athletes to learn about the history of Nike and its relationship with the NFL. Student athletes will get an opportunity to hear from former Nike/NFL Ambassadors about why they love football and learn about professional development from some of the best in sports, touring one of the most amazing campuses in the world.

This year, the Nike Kickoff Classic will livestream on the NFL YouTube channel on Thursday, Aug. 22with NFL Network airing the Classic on Saturday, Aug. 31. The schools participating in the Nike Kickoff Classic will also be sponsored by the NFL team in their home markets.