This week, Cox Sports Television (Cox channel 3) has launched Varsity Zone, a program featuring high school sports in Rhode Island that will air on selected Sundays at 7 p.m.

In the show's debut last Sunday, Scott Cordischi provided the play-by-play and Mike Wall served as the color commentator in Varsity Zone's coverage of the Coventry-Cranston West football game.

In addition to game coverage, the program will feature the selection of Players of the Game, athlete profiles and a salute to the host school.

``For several years Cox has provided exclusive coverage of Rhode Island Interscholastic League Division I Championships in football, hockey and boys’ and girls’ basketball,'' said Paul Cronin, vice president and region manager, Cox Communications New England. ``The creation of Varsity Zone on Cox Sports Television allows us to increase and expand our coverage of high school sports throughout the state.''

The fall series of Varsity Zone will be highlighted by coverage of the RIIL Division I Championships both in field hockey and boys’ soccer.

Live coverage of the Thanskgiving Day football meeting between La Salle and East Providence will air on Varsity Zone on Nov. 23 at 10 a.m.

The Players of the Game also will be posted on the Cox Sports Television web site.

Sunday's Coventry-Cranston West matchup, as well as future games, will be available for a limited time on Cox Digital Cable Local OnDemand.

``The debut of Varsity Zone on Cox Sports Television is a great boost for high school sports in Rhode Island,'' said Tom Mezzanote, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League. ``Cox Sports Television is providing a great vehicle to showcase our athletes and teams throughout the state.''

Here is the rest of the Varsity Zone's fall lineup:
Sunday - Moses Brown vs. St. George’s Boys’ Soccer
Sept. 24 - Barrington vs. Bishop Hendricken Football
Oct. 15 - North Smithfield vs. Warwick Vets Football
Oct. 22 - North Kingstown vs. East Greenwich Girls’ Soccer
Nov. 5 - RIIL Division I Field Hockey Championships
Nov. 12 - RIIL Division I Boys’ Soccer Championships
Nov. 23 - La Salle vs. East Providence Thanksgiving Day Football (Live, 10 a.m.)
Nov. 26 - LaSalle vs. East Providence football (Replay)