North Farmington's Raiders will kick off the 2026 football season on a big stage, facing Birmingham Groves at the 21st annual Amazon Prep Kickoff Classic on Friday, Aug. 28, at Tom Adams Field on the Wayne State University campus in Detroit.

Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.

The matchup pits two playoff teams from 2025 against each other in a showcase game that doubles as an early measuring stick for a North Farmington program entering a new era. The Raiders are leaving the Oakland Activities Association and joining the Lakes Valley Conference this fall.

Head coach Jonathan Herstein, speaking at the Kickoff Classic media preview on Monday, July 27, said returning quarterback Elijah Cobb gives the Raiders a proven leader under center. Herstein told The Oakland Press he is confident the team can spread the ball around with Cobb distributing it.

"Eli's like a point guard out there," Herstein said.

Cobb, who wears No. 4, transferred to North Farmington from Detroit Cass Tech, where he backed up Corey Sadler. He is entering his second year as the Raiders' starter. The Detroit Free Press profiled him on July 24, describing a player who has "paved his own path" at North Farmington.

Herstein said the offseason has been productive, singling out Cobb and a teammate identified only as "Gabe" for their leadership and work in the weight room. He called Cobb "one of the first guys in" during offseason workouts.

The Raiders made the 2025 playoffs but drew eventual Division 2 state champion Orchard Lake St. Mary's in the first round. Herstein said his players competed hard in that loss and have used it as motivation heading into 2026.

Birmingham Groves, coached by Brendan Flaherty, brings its own postseason pedigree. The Falcons reached the Division 2 state semifinals last season and return star running back Jeremiah Whitley. Flaherty said at the media preview that his team's preparation is locked in on the North Farmington opener, adding that the Falcons are focused on getting better over the next 32 days and preparing for a Raiders team that "did a great job" in 2025.

The Kickoff Classic opens Thursday, Aug. 27, with Detroit Catholic Central facing Chippewa Valley at 4 p.m. North Farmington and Groves close the two-day event on Friday. North Farmington's full Lakes Valley Conference schedule has not yet been released.