Official high school football practices started July 31 and non-league games begin this weekend. The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) has mandated that the regular season will run from Aug. 14 through Oct. 21 and playoffs will go from Oct. 27 through Dec. 2, with all playoff games scheduled for Fridays.
All football playoff games on Fridays
Following a recommendation from the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association, all football playoff games during the first five rounds will be played on Friday nights. During the first two rounds (Oct. 27 and Nov. 3), the better-seeded team in each matchup will host the game at its home field. During the third, fourth and fifth rounds (Nov. 10, 17 and 24), the OHSAA will select neutral sites. The state championships will be hosted at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton Nov. 30, Dec. 1 and 2.
Statewide football calendar
Aug. 14 – Regular season begins (first Friday is Aug. 18)
Oct. 21 – Regular season ends
Oct. 22 – Playoff qualifiers announced
Oct. 27 – Regional playoffs first round (better-seeded team hosts)
Nov. 3 – Regional quarterfinals (better-seeded team hosts)
Nov. 10 – Regional semifinals (neutral sites)
Nov. 17 – Regional finals (neutral sites)
Nov. 23 – Thanksgiving
Nov. 24 – State semifinals (neutral sites)
Nov. 30, Dec. 1 and 2 – State championships, Canton
The OHSAA football site has several links to statewide regular-season schedules:
- MaxPreps: maxpreps.com/news/PhsocT_EMUSliWlcEKJOdA/ohsaa-2023-ohio-high-school-football-schedules.htm
- JoeEitel: joeeitel.com/hsfoot/
- OHSAA Football Home: ohsaa.org/sports/football
