Woodruff High Hosts McDonald's Kickoff Classic Press Conference as 2026 Season Approaches
Coaches and players from across the state met at the new Woodruff High auditorium on July 16 to preview the eighth McDonald's Kick-off Classic, with Varner Stadium again a host site.
The new Woodruff High School auditorium hosted the July 16 press conference for the eighth McDonald's Kick-off Classic, a preseason showcase started in 2019 by McDonald's and the South Carolina officials' association. It now spans four host sites and more than 30 teams and raises money for the Ronald McDonald House, the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas and the Touchstone Energy North/South game. The guest speaker was Rick Patterson, a retired 30-year NFL official. Woodruff native Lee Smith, SCFOA president, is one of the event's founders.
Varner Stadium was a host site for a second straight year, with Woodruff scheduled to face Greenville on Aug. 10 and Laurens on Aug. 14 at Byrnes. Head coach Brett Sloan said the Wolverines, back in 2A for the first time since 2015, were looking forward to the test.