OHSAA announces 2024 football divisions and regional assignments
The Ohio High School Athletic Association Board of Directors approved the 2024 football divisional breakdowns and regional assignments Thursday 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. Details of the competitive balance process are available at: https://www.ohsaa.org/School-Resources/Competitive-Balance-Resource-Cen….
2024 OHSAA Football Divisions and Playoff Regions
Division I – School List, Schools by Region, Regional Map
Division II – School List, Schools by Region, Regional Map
Division III – School List, Schools by Region, Regional Map
Division IV – School List, Schools by Region, Regional Map
Division V – School List, Schools by Region, Regional Map
Division VI – School List, Schools by Region, Regional Map
Division VII – School List, Schools by Region, Regional Map.
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, seventh and eighth 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 Calendar
May 15 through July 31 – Summer Period (see note above)
Aug. 1 – Practice Begins
Week of Aug. 19 – Season Begins
Aug. 23 – First Friday Night
Oct. 26 – Regular-Season Ends
Oct. 27 – Playoff Qualifiers Announced
Nov. 1 – Regional Playoffs First Round
Nov. 8 – Regional Quarterfinals
Nov. 15 – Regional Semifinals
Nov. 22 – Regional Finals
Nov. 28 – Thanksgiving
Nov. 29 – State Semifinals
Dec. 5-7 – State Championships, Canton.
More information about OHSAA football is posted at: https://www.ohsaa.org/sports/football.
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