The nation's premier high school football showcase is returning to Ohio and Texas with eight games over three days in August and September.

The Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series presented by BURGER KING® pits high school teams from the states of Ohio and Texas against prep football powerhouses from across the nation. The 2009 Ohio event features six Columbus-area teams, nationally-ranked Orange Lutheran High School from Southern California and defending national champion St. Thomas Aquinas High School from Florida.

Herbstreit said. "When I took the field at Ohio Stadium for the first time, it was the culmination of a lifelong dream. I am so happy that these young athletes will be able to share in the
same experience. I have always been a strong believer in the lessons and values learned through high school athletics. We look forward to making the 2009 Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series an experience that these athletes will never forget."

Game one of the 2009 Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series presented by BURGER KING® will feature a noon matchup between defending national champion St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) High School and Upper Arlington (OH) High School. The game will be televised nationally by ESPN.

The St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders possess a number of Ohio State connections. Former Ohio State All-American wide receiver and NFL Pro-Bowler Cris Carter is an assistant coach for the Raiders. Carter's son Duron, who recently completed a stellar high school career at St. Thomas Aquinas, will suit up as a freshman wide receiver for Ohio State in the fall.

"The Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series presented by BURGER KING® is by far the nation's top high school football event," the elder Carter said. "We have a great high school football tradition here at St. Thomas Aquinas and we're excited to be a part of the series again in 2009. This year's version of the event is extra special for me as I get a chance to coach in the stadium where I have so many memories from my playing days. It's also the stadium where my son will create memories of his own. It should be an unforgettable weekend."

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at Ticketweb.com or through participatinghigh schools. Adult tickets are on sale for $15. Student tickets are on sale for $10. Saturday and Sunday tickets are sold separately, but are valid for both games each day.

"This is Burger King Corp.'s third consecutive year as sponsor of the Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series," said Russ
Klein, president, global strategy, marketing and innovation, Burger King. Corp. "Ohio football has a tradition of excellence and as a lifelong fan, I'm proud we support to this premiere national platform for high school football."

Nike is returning as the exclusive athletic apparel and equipment sponsor of the series which also features four games in
Dallas, Texas on Monday, Sept. 7. More than 50,000 fans attended the Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series presented by BURGER KING® in 2008.

Please visit herbstreitfootballseries.com for more information on the Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series
presented by BURGER KING®. Twitter updates for the Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series presented by BURGER
KING® are also available at twitter.com/herbstreitfb.