Pioneer Sports, in partnership with the KingCo League and Hubbard Broadcasting, announced today that regular season high school football games will return to the radio for the first time since 1999. For 12 consecutive weeks, starting September 6 at 6:45 p.m., “Friday Night Football” can be heard on Alternative Talk 1150-AM KKNW and simulcast/archived on 1150kknw.com.

“We’re excited to partner with Pioneer Sports,” said current KingCo President Stark Porter. “The radio schedule will be set for the first six games – and will be announced next week. The last six will depend on how the season progresses. Bellevue and Skyline have, of course, been dominant for the past several years, but we’d like to see as many of the 19 football teams included as possible.”

The voice of KingCo football will be veteran local play-by-play announcer, Gary Hill. He will be joined in the press box by former Bothell High School quarterback, Tony Gardiner – as color commentator.

“We’re pleased to have Gary behind the microphone for us. He’s covered a lot of football in his relatively short career, and this year he’s been outstanding as a fill in play-by-play announcer with the Mariners,” said Mark Mininger, President and General Manager of Pioneer Sports, “and Tony’s enthusiasm and knowledge of the game, and of the KingCo league, will add a lot of depth and excitement to each broadcast.”

“We’ve been committed to local sports for a long time,” said KKNW Radio General Manager Marc Kaye. “KingCo Football will be a nice addition to our Friday lineup. Plus, we’ve worked with Pioneer Sports and Gary Hill and know the broadcasts are going to sound great.”

KingCo is the largest and one of the most successful football conferences in the state and boasts a huge fan following. The high schools include Ballard, Bellevue, Bothell, Eastlake, Garfield, Inglemoor, Interlake, Issaquah, Juanita, Lake Washington, Liberty, Mercer Island, Mount Si, Newport, Redmond, Roosevelt, Sammamish, Skyline and Woodinville.

“The more we’ve researched the talent and commitment of these student-athletes (and their coaches), we’ve grown inspired, and we hope to pass that along to the listening audience,” said Hill. “The KingCo Conference is one of the best in the country and I am thrilled to be a part of the broadcasts.”