News Summary

The Ohio High School Athletic Association has announced divisional breakdowns for high school football in Central Ohio for the 2025 season. Schools will experience a mix of stability and transitions, with some teams remaining in their divisions, while others are moving up or down based on enrollment and competitive balance. Notably, five teams are switching playoff divisions, and twelve statewide are moving up a division. With practice beginning on August 1, excitement is building as teams prepare for the upcoming season.

Central Ohio High School Football Gets a Shake-Up for 2025!

Hey there, Central Ohio! Exciting changes are on the horizon for high school football as the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) has just announced the divisional breakdowns for the 706 schools gearing up to take the field in the 2025 season. This reveal came down on May 1, and it’s time to dive into what it all means for our local teams!

What Are the Divisions?

First things first, let’s talk divisions! Schools can shift divisions based on a variety of factors, including changes in male student enrollment or the OHSAA’s competitive balance formula. This means that schools may find themselves in a different division than last year. For the 2025 season, schools in Divisions II-VII had the chance to move up to Division I, but nobody took that bait! So, you might be wondering what’s changing for the local teams.

Stability and Changes

Good news for some! A total of nine local programs are sticking with their divisions from the 2024 season thanks to fair competitive balance measures. But it’s not all static—some teams are making moves!

  • The Badin Rams are back in Division III after tasting Division II last season, all thanks to enrollment changes.
  • Purcell Marian is stepping up to Division V from Division VI due to competitive balance considerations.
  • Cincinnati Country Day is dropping down to Division VII after seeing a dip in enrollment.
  • The Winton Woods team is transitioning up to Division I from the lower Division II, while La Salle remains in Division II for another season.
  • Indian Hill and CHCA both stay put in Division IV, even though they could compete in the lower division.

What’s Happening with Playoffs?

Now, let’s talk playoffs! A total of five teams across Central Ohio are switching playoff divisions for the upcoming season. Interestingly, eleven more teams would have changed divisions but chose to stick to their current divisions, all thanks to competitive balance considerations. It looks like these teams are happy where they are!

Understanding the Division Sizes

For those not in the know, the biggest schools—specifically, the largest 72—are classified under Division I. The OHSAA tries to keep other divisions as evenly split as possible, giving a fair chance to all programs. Among the local favorites, teams like Watterson, who are last season’s state champions, and London, a semifinalist, are still in their respective regions, 11 and 12.

More Teams on the Move Statewide

Across the state, twelve schools took the plunge and decided to move up a division, including schools like Johnstown and KIPP Columbus transitioning to Division IV from Division V. In total, 46 schools across Ohio will see a shift to a higher division based on their male enrollment count and competitive balance considerations, reflecting the rigorous nature of high school athletics.

Kickoff and Practice Time

Get your calendars ready because football practice starts on August 1 this year, and the thrill of the first game kicks off on August 22. As all these changes unfold, the Central Ohio high school football scene is sure to be buzzing with excitement! Who will rise to the top when the season begins? We can’t wait to find out!

So there you have it, folks! As schools prepare to lace up their cleats for another action-packed season, keep your eyes peeled for all the drama, rivalry, and brilliant game plays ahead.

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