By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced its football divisions and regions for the fall 2025 season in a press release on Thursday.

The 2025 divisions and regions are posted at: https://www.ohsaa.org/Sports-Tournaments/Football/Football-2025

2025 OHSAA Football – Report Showing All Schools (706)

FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK

   • No schools in Divisions II through VII opted to voluntarily move up to Division I.

   • Twelve new schools were moved up a division by the OHSAA based on the organization’s competitive-balance process, which analyzes data from roster information provided by each school from the previous season. The 12 new schools join 34 existing schools that remain in a higher division because of competitive balance for a total of 46 schools.

   • Schools can have up to 13 days of practice without pads during the summer, beginning May 12. An additional five days are permitted beginning July 15 for schools to complete the mandatory five-day acclimatization period. The OHSAA does not set a limit on physical fitness and conditioning workouts in the summer.

   • The OHSAA conducted a survey with member schools on the topic of playoff football. That information was not available at press time and will be published at a later date.

DIVISIONAL BREAKDOWN

Division I: 72 total teams, 592 and more enrollment

Division II: 104 teams, enrollment between 378-591

Division III: 107 teams, enrollment between 268-377

Division IV: 105 teams, enrollment between 202-267

Division V: 106 teams, enrollment between 157-201

Division VI: 106 teams, enrollment between 112-156

Division VII: 106 teams, enrollment 111 and less

2025 FOOTBALL CALENDAR

Summer Period: May 12 through July 31 (13 practices permitted, plus five days for acclimation)

Practice Begins: August 1

Regular-Season Begins: Week of August 18 (first Friday is August 22)

Regular-Season Ends: Saturday, October 25

Playoff Qualifiers Announced: Sunday, October 26

Regional First Round: Friday, October 31

Regional Quarterfinals  – Friday, November 7

Regional Semifinals: Friday, November 14

Regional Finals: Friday, November 21

State Semifinals: Friday, November 28

State Championships: December 4-6, Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton