OHSAA announces 2024 football divisions and regional assignments

COLUMBUS — The Ohio High School Athletic Association Board of Directors approved the 2024 football divisional breakdowns and regional assignments today during its April board meeting. The largest 70 schools are placed in Division I, and all remaining schools are divided as equally as possible into Divisions II through VII, with approximately 106 schools per division. Of note, OHSAA member schools may opt to move up to Division I if Referendum Issue 1B passes this spring. Results of the referendum voting will be announced May 16. Earlier this spring, the OHSAA received updated base enrollment data from the Ohio Department of Education to use for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years. In the sport of football, competitive balance data from the previous season is used each season to create a new adjusted enrollment count. No changes for area None of the nine Reflector area teams will change divisions or regions in 2024. Norwalk remained in Div. III Region 10, while Edison and Willard stay in Div. V Region 18. Western Reserve returns to Div. VI Region 22, and are expected to be rejoined by New London. The Wildcats have not fielded a varsity team in three years, but intend to return to the Firelands Conference this season. The remaining area FC teams — Monroeville, Plymouth, South Central and St. Paul — will again be in Div. VII Region 25. Semifinalists to change divisions Eight of the 28 teams that reached the seven state semifinals last season will move up a division in 2024. The only defending state champion to move up will be Perry from Div. V to Div. IV. State finalists Versailles (Div. VI to V) and Dalton (Div. VII to VI) are also up. State semifinalists moving up include Steubenville (Div. IV to III); Germantown Valley View (Div. V to IV); Sugarcreek Garaway (Div. VI to V); and Hamler Patrick Henry and Caldwell (Div. VII to VI). The only state semifinalist that will move down is Columbus Grove, which goes from Div. VI to VII. Preseason schedule The Board of Directors also approved the 2024 football regulations. The official start date for practice is Thursday, Aug. 1. High schools can schedule scrimmages with other schools after one full day of contact practice has been completed. Seventh and eighth grade schools can schedule scrimmages after three full days of contact practice have been completed. In addition, 7th and 8th grade schools can now play eight games regardless of whether they have one or two preseason scrimmages. Beginning May 15, schools are permitted to have 13 days of practice without pads or hitting. An additional five days are permitted beginning July 15 for schools to complete the mandatory five-day acclimatization period, if they so choose. The OHSAA does not set a limit on physical fitness training and conditioning workouts in the summer. 2024 football season calendarMay 15-July 31: Summer periodAug. 1: Practice beginsWeek of Aug. 19: Season beginsAug. 23: First Friday nightOct. 26: Regular-season endsOct. 27: Playoff qualifiers announcedNov. 1: Regional playoffs first roundNov. 8: Regional 1uarterfinalsNov. 15: Regional semifinalsNov. 22: Regional finalsNov. 28: ThanksgivingNov. 29: State semifinalsDec. 5-7: State championships, Canton More information about OHSAA football is posted at ohsaa.org/sports/football.