The Freedom Bowl Classic all-star high school football game featuring top players from Southwest Washington has been postponed until 2021 due to health concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic.
The announcement was posted Saturday on Twitter.
A charity event for Shriners Hospitals for Children, the Freedom Bowl Classic was scheduled for July 11 at Battle Ground’s District Stadium.
“After careful consideration and the unknowns of what limitations may or may not be required to safely operate a sporting event this summer, we have made the painful decision to postpone the 2020 Freedom Bowl to 2021,” said Mike Clemenhagen, chairman of the Freedom Bowl Classic, in a statement.
A tentative rescheduled date is July 10, 2021, at District Stadium.
Clemenhagen said in the statement that players and coaches on the 2020 roster will be invited back for the 2021 game if they are able to take part.
Columbia River defensive coordinator Dewayne Patterson and Evergreen head coach Christian Swain were named as the 2020 Freedom Bowl coaches.
“It’s unfortunate for sure, but what are you going to do?” Swain said. “Absolutely I would come back next year. It’s for a good cause and (the organizers) always do a great job with the game.”
Swain said coaches were just starting to identify kids who wanted to play. Currently, a roster of 13 players is on the Freedom Bowl Classic website.
The event, which also included games played by Clark County Youth Football teams, has been staged at either McKenzie Stadium or Kiggins Bowl since 2003.
Past MVP or Player of the Game honors have included current Battle Ground boys basketball coach and Battle Ground High grad Manny Melo (2007), current Portland State quarterbacks/tight end coach and Columbia River grad Evan Mozzochi (2007), and former New Orleans Saints third-round draft pick Garrett Grayson, a Heritage High grad (2010).
