News Release – Ohio High School Athletic Association
Executive Director Doug Ute
For Immediate Release – April 25, 2024
OHSAA Announces 2024 Football Divisions and Regional Assignments
Competitive balance data added to new base enrollment data provided by Ohio Department of Education
COLUMBUS, Ohio – 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. Details of the competitive balance process are available at:
https://www.ohsaa.org/School-Resources/Competitive-Balance-Resource-Center.
2024 OHSAA Football Divisions and Playoff Regions
Preseason Schedule
The Board of Directors also approved the 2024 football regulations. The official start date for practice is Thursday, August 1. High schools can schedule scrimmages with other schools after one full day of contact practice has been completed. 7th and 8th 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 Calendar
May 15 through July 31 – Summer Period (see note above)
August 1 – Practice Begins
Week of August 19 – Season Begins
August 23 – First Friday Night
October 26 – Regular-Season Ends
October 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
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