Fall sports practices officially begin on Monday, Aug. 1 for member schools of the Ohio High School Athletic Association, including 712 schools that will compete in 11-man football. Football scrimmage dates are Aug. 5-13 and the regular season begins the week of Aug. 15. The first Friday night is Aug. 19.
Hillsboro hosts a preseason game at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug, 11 against Paint Valley, then opens the season season at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19 by visting Western Brown. The Indians travel to Goshen the following week them play their first regular season home game Friday, Sept. 2 when they host East Clinton in the annual fish fry game.
McClain opens the regular season at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19 by visiting Adena. The Tigers play their first home game Friday, Aug. 26 when the host McDermott Northwest.
Two school change divisions
Following the OHSAA’s June 13 announcement of the 2022 divisional breakdowns and region assignments, two schools have been reassigned to new divisions and regions due to errors in enrollment data submitted. Youngstown Ursuline was initially placed in Division IV, but has been moved to Division III (Region 9). Oregon Cardinal Stritch Catholic was initially placed in Division VII, but has been moved to Division VI (Region 22).
Updated divisional breakdowns and region assignments are posted at: https://www.ohsaa.org/Sports-Tournaments/Football/Football-2022
2022 OHSAA football calendar
July 18-31 — Five-Day Acclimatization Period Can Be Completed (see note below)
Aug. 1 — First Day of Practice
Aug. — 5-13 Scrimmage Dates
Aug. 15 — Regular-Season Begins (First Friday is August 19)
Sept. 6 — First Weekly Associated Press State Polls (after week 3)
Sept. 13 — First Weekly Computer Points Released (after week 4)
Oct. 22 — Regular-Season Ends
Oct. 23 — Final Computer Points and Playoff Qualifiers Announced (top 16 schools in each region)
Oct. 28 — First Round Playoff Games – Higher Seeded Team Hosts
Nov. 4 — Regional Quarterfinals – Higher Seeded Team Hosts
Nov. 11-12 — Regional Semifinals – at Neutral Sites (Div. I, II, III, V on Friday; Div. IV, VI and VII on Saturday)
Nov. 18-19 — Regional Finals – at Neutral Sites (Div. I, II, III, V on Friday; Div. IV, VI and VII on Saturday)
Nov. 24 — Thanksgiving
Nov. 25-26 — State Semifinals – at Neutral Sites (Div. I, II, III, V on Friday; Div. IV, VI and VII on Saturday)
Dec. 1-3 — State Championships in Canton at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium
Change to preseason
acclimation period
The sport of football includes a five-day acclimatization period for all student-athletes. In the past, that five-day period began on the first day of practice. New this year, the five-day period may be completed beginning July 18, although attendance cannot be mandatory until official practice begins August 1. Football players who complete acclimation in July may then participate in full contact on Aug. 1. All players joining the team for the first time at any point during the season after the first day of mandatory practice must participate in a five-day acclimatization period prior to any contact drills. During practices within the acclimatization period, players may wear helmets only on the first two days. On days three and four, helmets and shoulder pads are allowed. From day five onward, full pads are allowed. Full contact is not permitted until the acclimatization period is completed. During these acclimation days, athletes may engage in conditioning, speed, strength, agility drills and may use large pads for drills and walk-through practices.
OHSAA Inclement
weather policy
A modification to the OHSAA’s inclement weather policy went into effect in 2019, which states, “At night under certain atmospheric conditions, lighting flashes may be seen from distant storms. In these cases, it may be safe to continue an event if no thunder can be heard and the flashes are low on the horizon.” Otherwise, if thunder is heard or lightning is seen, outdoor activities shall be suspended for 30 minutes and all personnel, athletes and spectators shall evacuate to available safe structures or shelters. The full policy is posted at: https://www.ohsaa.org/sports/inclementweatherpolicy.
Head, heat, hydration
The OHSAA has many resources and guidelines for schools to take precautions in extreme heat. In addition, the OHSAA reminds student-athletes and coaches to follow the proper medical regulations when there is any chance a concussion may have occurred. Those regulations and other helpful tools are posted at: https://www.ohsaa.org/sportssafety
Additional Reminders for All Schools, Coaches and Student-Athletes
1. All student-athletes must have a pre-participation physical: http://www.ohsaa.org/medicine/physicalexamform
2. All coaches, paid and volunteer, must be certified by the Ohio Department of Education: http://www.ohsaa.org/Coaches-Corner
3. Mandatory preseason parent meetings information: http://www.ohsaa.org/School-Resources
4. The month of August is a no-contact period for coaches in the sports of basketball, softball, baseball, ice hockey, boys volleyball and lacrosse.
Submitted by Tim Stried, director of media relations, Ohio High School Athletic Association.
