(Indianapolis) – A new rules exception that allows a passer to intentionally throw an incomplete forward pass for the purpose of conserving yardage, and the redefining of the term “chop block” – both of which are intended to minimize risk of injury – are the two most notable rules changes coming to high school football for the 2022 season.
These changes stand out among the seven total recommendations brought forth by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Football Rules Committee, which held its annual rules meeting January 23-25 at the Conrad Hotel in downtown Indianapolis. The NFHS Board of Directors subsequently approved all seven of the committee’s suggestions.
“With this year’s rules changes, the committee once again showed its focus on minimizing risk in high school football,” said Bob Colgate, NFHS Director of Sports and Sports Medicine and liaison to the NFHS Football Rules Committee. “By expanding the parameters for a legal forward pass and redefining the chop block so it can be more easily officiated by game officials, the committee has taken measures to mitigate two potentially risky situations within the game.”
Rule 7-5-2 EXCEPTION 2 now permits a player to purposefully throw an incomplete forward pass without warranting an intentional grounding penalty provided the passer is outside of “the pocket” (lateral boundary of the free-blocking zone) and the pass reaches the neutral zone or the extension of the neutral zone beyond the sideline.
“The question (with this rule) has always been, ‘if the defense makes a good play, are we bailing out the offense by letting the quarterback throw the ball away?’” said Richard McWhirter, Chair of the NFHS Football Rules Committee and Assistant Executive Director of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association. “This year, I think the committee felt the wellbeing of the passers and not subjecting them to extra hits was worth changing the rule.”
An alteration to Rule 2-3-8 addressed the new definition of a chop block, which is now described as “a combination block by two or more teammates against an opponent other than the runner, with or without delay, where one of the blocks is below the waist and one of the blocks is above the waist.” Previously, the defensive player’s knee was used to determine the high and low components of a chop block.
“This is going to strengthen the rule and it’s also going to help the game officials,” said McWhirter. “I think they’re going to be able to enforce this rule better than they have in the past because determining ‘below the knee’ and ‘above the knee’ is tough to do. I think it’s really going to improve the game.”
Players will be able to wear the number 0 as a jersey number starting in 2022, as the range of acceptable numbers listed in Rule 1-4-3 was expanded from 1-99 to 0-99. However, any number preceded by the digit zero will be illegal.
State associations now have the option to extend sideline team boxes beyond their traditional 50-yard expanse (between the 25-yard-lines) as long as both teams are allowed to use the same dimensions. This new NOTE attached to Rule 1-2-3g also gives state associations the freedom to decide which individuals can access the extended area.
Two minor changes involving game clock and play clock procedures were made to Rules 3-4-7 and 3-6-1a(1)e EXCEPTIONS, respectively.In Rule 3-4-7, any foul committed within the last two minutes of either half will automatically result in the offended team’s option to start the game clock on the snap. Prior to this change, the offended team was required to accept its opponent’s penalty in order to gain control of the game clock.
The committee edited the EXCEPTIONS to Rule 3-6-1a(1)e, which clarify the necessary conditions for an abbreviated 25-second play clock after a stoppage in play. This rule now includes an exception for Rule 3-5-7i, mandating that a 40-second play clock be employed following a foul committed only by the defensive team.
The final rule change for 2022 is an alteration to Rule 1-3-3 regarding game equipment. Any game official – not just the referee – may order the ball changed between downs.
A complete listing of the football rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page and select “Football.”
Blocks of tickets are held for the fans of the 16 participating teams that advance to the state tournament, but the OHSAA anticipates the return of a large number of all-session ticket holders who annually attend every game of the state tournament.
“For the first time since 2019, we are able to welcome back a full house for the basketball state tournaments,” said Doug Ute, OHSAA Executive Director. “The University of Dayton does such a great job hosting basketball tournaments and we know that fans are excited to check out UD Arena. It is a tremendous basketball arena and we are so excited that our student-athletes will get to play for a state championship in front of a packed arena.”
The divisional rotation for the state tournaments this season is Division III, II, IV and I.
Girls basketball all-session tickets are $96 plus credit card fee. Premium all-session tickets are $136 plus credit card fee. Single-session tickets for the girls basketball state tournament go on sale Monday, March 7, which are doubleheader sessions for the semifinals March 10 and 11. The championship games are each single sessions on March 12. The semifinal sessions begin at noon and 6 p.m., while the championship games are at 10:45 a.m., 2 p.m., 5:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Single-session general admission tickets are $16 for adults and $12 for students, plus credit card fee. Single-session premium tickets are $20 plus credit card fee.
The boys basketball state tournament will feature the return of the Center Court Club, which includes a seat close to the arena floor and access to a hospitality room so fans can stay in the arena between games. Center Court Club all-session tickets are $475 plus credit card fee.
Boys basketball all-session tickets are $168 plus credit card fee, while premium all-session tickets are $216 plus credit card fee. Single-session tickets for the boys basketball state tournament go on sale Monday, March 14. Each game is its own session for the boys state tournament, which is March 18-20 (Friday through Sunday). Game times are at 10:45 a.m., 2 p.m., 5:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. all three days. Single-session adult tickets are $16 for adults and $12 for students, plus credit card fee. Single-session premium tickets are $20 plus credit card fee.
Parking fees are included in the ticket cost and fans are encouraged to carpool.
Disability seating is available and can be selected from the seat map when purchasing tickets.
A limited number of suites are available. Those interested a suite should contact the UD Arena Ticket Office at 937-229-4433 or via email FlyerTickets@udayton.edu.
High school girls tournament basketball brackets have been released for the respective districts throughout Ohio.
The Southeast District will tournaments for Divisions 2, 3 and 4. The higher seeded team hosts in the Sectional Tournament, then goes to neutral site for District Tournament.
Here are the links for the respective Southeast District brackets in Divisions 2, 3 and 4. (The brackets below are linked to the Southeast District Athletic Board website.)
Bloom Carroll, Teays Valley and Amanda Clearcreek are among area teams that will be playing in the Central District. (The brackets below will be populated by team seeds once loaded by the Central District)
OHSAA submission/Photo credit David Jablonski, Dayton Daily News
(Columbus) – The Ohio High School Athletic Association Board of Directors voted unanimously to add boys volleyball and girls wrestling as emerging sports, starting with the 2022-23 school year.
In a related note, OHSAA removed girls and boys lacrosse from the emerging sports category and into the list of OHSAA recognized sports, and also committed to discuss partnering with a group to provide a tournament in Esports (gaming).
The Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association has been conducting a girls wrestling tournament since 2020, and the Ohio High School Boys Volleyball Association has been conducting its tournament since 1988.
“The OHSAA has been talking with the boys volleyball and girls wrestling leaders for several years and we are now in the position to bring these two sports into the OHSAA,” said OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute. “This move will help those sports continue to grow and allow those student-athletes to compete for an OHSAA state championship. It gives more kids opportunities and that is the mission of the OHSAA.”
As emerging sports, girls wrestling and boys volleyball will be administered like the OHSAA’s current 26 recognized sports, but will have additional requirements according to OHSAA General Sports Regulation 16 that could lead to full sanctioning in the future.
“We will look to keep a very similar format for the girls wrestling and boys volleyball tournaments as what the coaches associations have been doing,” Ute said. “The girls wrestling state tournament is held in mid-February and the boys volleyball state tournament is held in the spring. We have not yet developed tournament regulations, but we’ll start working on that so that those two sports hit the ground running next fall for the start of the 2022-23 school year.”
The OHSAA added lacrosse in 2016 and the sport has continued to grow and now moves out of the emerging sports category, effective immediately.
With the addition of girls wrestling and boys volleyball, the number of OHSAA sports grows to 28, with 14 for girls and 14 for boys.
OHSAA submission/Photo credit Paul Vernon, Columbus ThisWeek Community News
Chillicothe High School began its boys volleyball program in 2016. Coach Andrew Vitatoe said it was part of laying the groundwork for the 2017 season. “At that time much of the ground work was being completed by the OHSBVA to become a sanctioned sport, we just got involved at the right time.”
Vitatoe added things were looking really good for sanctioning just before losing the 2020 season to Covid, but received assurance from the OHSAA programs wouldn’t have to start back at square one. “The difference between a club sport and a sanctioned sport often makes a difference in the amount of support teams see from their home school. We fund our own referees, uniforms, transportation in the earlier years, and our coaches are all volunteer. Chillicothe has really been great about helping us in any way that they can.”
The Cavaliers had 11 players and compiled a 7-11 record their first season. “We had some players get individual region honors and people started to see that this could really be a great program for Chillicothe” said Vitatoe. “We hope that this move by the OHSAA leads to more teams in our area. We have such a great region for girls volleyball, there isn’t any reason that we can’t also have one of the stronger areas in Ohio for Boys Volleyball.”
The OHSAA has been in conversation with Esports, as it has grown rapidly at both the high school and college level in the last several years. The OHSAA will look to partner with a group that specializes in Esports, similar to how the OHSAA partnered with Varsity Spirit for its sideline cheerleading competition that was held for the first time this past December.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association’s Football State Championship games were announced Sunday.
All games will be played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, beginning Thursday night. Listed below are the games as scheduled, including their Associated Press state ranking.
Division II State Championship – Thursday, Dec. 2, 7 p.m. Cincinnati Winton Woods (12-3) vs. No. 8 Akron Archbishop Hoban (11-3)
Division IV State Championship – Friday, Dec. 3, 10:30 a.m. No. 4 Clarksville Clinton-Massie (13-1) vs. Youngstown Ursuline (11-3)
Division III State Championship – Friday, Dec. 3, 3 p.m. No. 2 Hamilton Badin (14-0) vs. No. 1 Chardon (15-0)
Division I State Championship – Friday, Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m. No. 5 Springfield (13-1) vs. No. 3 Lakewood St. Edward (13-1)
Division VII State Championship – Saturday, Dec. 4, 10:30 a.m. No. 3 Newark Catholic (14-1) vs. No. 1 Maria Stein Marion Local (15-0)
Division VI State Championship – Saturday, Dec. 4, 3 p.m. No. 6 Coldwater (13-2) vs. No. 8 Carey (14-1)
Division V State Championship – Saturday, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. No. 8 Versailles (14-1) vs. No. 1 Kirtland (14-0)
The Ohio High School Athletic Association has released the bracket pairings for their football playoffs, which open with Divisions 1-4 playing on Friday and Divisions 5-7 on Saturday nights.
Here are the regional pairings impacting our area teams:
OHSAA Football Playoffs – First Round Pairings Division I, II, III and IV games are Friday, Oct. 29. Division V, VI and VII games are Saturday, Oct. 30. All games kick off at 7 p.m. Games listed with regional seed and overall record
Division 1, Region 3 16 Thomas Worthington (2-7) at 1 Upper Arlington (10-0) 15 Grove City (2-7) at 2 Pickerington Central (9-1) 14 Westerville Central (2-7) at 3 Gahanna Lincoln (6-2) 13 Westerville North (3-7) at 4 New Albany (10-0) 12 Grove City Central Crossing (4-6) at 5 Hilliard Darby (7-3) 11 Groveport Madison (4-6) at 6 Pickerington North (7-3) 10 Lancaster (4-6) at 7 Hilliard Bradley (5-5) 9 Reynoldsburg (4-5) at 8 Hilliard Davidson (7-3)
Division 2, Region 8 16 Morrow Little Miami (4-6) at 1 Piqua (9-0) 15 Lima Senior (3-6) at 2 Kings Mills Kings (10-0) 14 Xenia (5-4) at 3 Cincinnati Anderson (8-2) 13 Riverside Stebbins (5-4) at 4 Teays Valley (9-1) 12 Sidney (5-5) at 5 Trenton Edgewood (7-2) 11 Harrison (4-5) at 6 Cincinnati La Salle (5-4) 10 Cincinnati Turpin (6-4) at 7 Cincinnati Winton Woods (7-3) 9 Troy (6-3) at 8 Cincinnati Withrow (8-1)
Division III, Region 11 16 Columbus Bishop Watterson (5-5) at 1 Granville (9-0) 15 Columbus South (7-3) at 2 Jackson (8-2) 14 Bellefontaine (6-4) at 3 Dresden Tri-Valley (8-1) 13 Zanesville (6-3) at 4 London (8-2) 12 Miami Trace (7-3) at 5 Columbus Bishop Hartley (8-2) 11 Columbus Beechcroft (7-3) at 6 Western Brown (8-2) 10 Jonathan Alder (6-4) at 7 Eastmoor Academy (6-3) 9 Thornville Sheridan (8-2) at 8 Columbus St. Francis DeSales (6-4)
Division IV, Region 15 16 Vincent Warren (3-7) at 1 Bloom-Carroll (10-0) 15 Newark Licking Valley (2-7) at 2 St. Clairsville (9-1) 14 Belmont Union Local (5-4) at 3 New Concord John Glenn (6-3) 13 Gallia Academy (4-3) at 4 Heath (8-2) 12 Duncan Falls Philo (6-4) at 5 Gnadenhutten Indian Valley (6-2) 11 Vinton County (6-3) at 6 Byesville Meadowbrook (8-2) 10 Cambridge (6-4) at 7 Carrollton (7-3) 9 Columbus Linden McKinley (8-2) at 8 Marengo Highland (7-3)
Division IV, Region 16 16 Waynesville (5-5) at 1 Cincinnati Wyoming (10-0) 15 Dayton Oakwood (4-6) at 2 Eaton (9-1) 14 Washington CH (4-5) at 3 Cincinnati McNicholas (8-1) 13 Dayton Northridge (7-3) at 4 Clarksville Clinton-Massie (8-1) 12 Germantown Valley View (5-5) at 5 Waverly (8-1) 11 Cincinnati Shroder (4-2) at 6 Bethel-Tate (8-1) 10 Cincinnati Indian Hill (5-5) at 7 West Milton Milton-Union (9-1) 9 Cleves Taylor (5-5) at 8 St. Paris Graham Local (6-3)
Division V, Region 19 16 Wellston (5-5) at 1 Ironton (9-1) 15 McDermott Northwest (5-5) at 2 Harvest Prep (6-2) 14 Coshocton (5-4) at 3 Piketon (9-0) 13 Bishop Ready (5-5) at 4 West Lafayette Ridgewood (9-1) 12 Portsmouth West (5-5) at 5 Wheelersburg (7-3) 11 Liberty Union (6-4) at 6 Columbus Academy (6-4) 10 Minford (6-3) at 7 Amanda-Clearcreek (6-4) 9 Portsmouth (7-3) at 8 Zane Trace (8-2)
Division VI, Region 23 16 Johnston Northridge (5-5) at 1 Beverly Fort Frye (7-1) 15 Lore City Buckeye Trail (4-5) at 2 Proctorville Fairland (8-1) 14 Lucasville Valley (4-6) at 3 West Jefferson (9-1) 13 Coal Grove Dawson-Bryant (5-4) at 4 Barnesville (7-1) 12 Columbus KIPP (6-4) at 5 Symmes Valley (9-0) 11 Fredericktown (5-5) at 6 Galion Northmor (8-2) 10 Worthington Christian (7-2) at 7 Africentric (6-3) 9 Centerburg (6-3) at 8 Nelsonville-York (7-3)
Division VI, Region 24 16 St. Bernard-Elmwood Place (3-5) at 1 Mechanicsburg (10-0) 15 New Paris National Trail (4-6) at 2 Harrod Allen East (7-3) 14 Fort Recovery (3-7) at 3 Arcanum (8-2) 13 Delphos Jefferson (3-7) at 4 Coldwater (8-2) 12 Cincinnati Deer Park (3-7) at 5 Cincinnati Country Day (7-2) 11 Anna (4-6) at 6 Springfield Northeastern (7-3) 10 Milford Center Fairbanks (5-5) at 7 Paint Valley (5-4) 9 Cincinnati Gamble Montessori (6-2) at 8 Jamestown Greeneview (6-4)
Division VII, Region 27 16 Danville (4-6) at 1 Newark Catholic (9-1) 15 Zanesville Bishop Rosecrans (4-6) at 2 Berne Union (9-0) 14 Lancaster Fairfield Christian (4-6) at 3 Shadyside (8-1) 13 Reedsville Eastern (4-4) at 4 Howard East Knox (8-2) 12 Lancaster Fisher Catholic (5-5) at 5 Glouster Trimble (7-2) 11 Bowerston Conotton Valley (5-4) at 6 Waterford (7-2) 10 Woodsfield Monroe Central (4-5) at 7 Hannibal River (6-4) 9 New Matamoras Frontier (5-3) at 8 Caldwell (5-4)
Division VII, Region 28 16 Twin Valley South (4-6) at 1 Maria Stein Marion Local (10-0) 15 Miami Valley Christian Academy (3-7) at 2 Tri-Village (9-1) 14 Troy Christian (6-4) at 3 Portsmouth Notre Dame (7-2) 13 Sciotoville East (5-3) at 4 De Graff Riverside (7-3) 12 Fayetteville-Perry (5-5) at 5 Cincinnati College Prep (7-2) 11 Ansonia (6-4) at 6 St. Henry (7-3) 10 Lockland (4-4) at 7 New Bremen (7-3) 9 Springfield Catholic Central (7-3) at 8 Fort Loramie (4-6)
The next to last OHSAA Football Computer Rankings have been released, heading into Week 10, which is the final week of regular season action. The final ratings will be released this Sunday (10/24/21) to determine post-season participants and playoff positions.
The top 16 teams in each region will advance to the playoffs this fall, with the top four teams in each region receiving a first-round bye.
Region 20 – 1. Cin. Taft (4-2) 12.4709, 2. Cin. Mariemont (6-1) 11.3786, 3. Springfield Shawnee (5-2) 10.5429, 4. Reading (5-1) 10.4583, 5. Camden Preble Shawnee (7-0) 9.6429, 6. Versailles (6-1) 9.45, 7. Brookville (5-2) 8.9214, 8. St. Bernard Roger Bacon (5-2) 8.1805, 9. Cin. Summit Country Day (3-2) 8.0247, 10. Cin. Purcell Marian (5-2) 6.9341, 11. Cin. Madeira (4-3) 6.7755, 12. Williamsburg (4-3) 5.424, 13. Carlisle (3-4) 5.3857, 14. Sabina East Clinton (4-3) 5.3065, 15. Blanchester (3-3) 5.1133
Division VI
Region 21 – 1. Columbia Station Columbia (7-0) 12.949, 2. Mogadore (6-1) 12.109, 3. New Middletown Springfield (6-1) 11.6127, 4. Leavittsburg LaBrae (6-1) 10.4184, 5. Brookfield (5-1) 8.6142, 6. Sullivan Black River (5-2) 7.8733, 7. Creston Norwayne (5-2) 7.8276, 8. Canton Central Cath. (3-4) 7.6356, 9. Middlefield Cardinal (5-2) 7.5515, 10. Berlin Center Western Reserve (4-3) 6.5372, 11. East Canton (3-2) 5.8443, 12. Hanoverton United (5-1) 5.7941, 13. Andover Pymatuning Valley (5-1) 5.7549, 14. Jeromesville Hillsdale (3-4) 3.9796, 15. Wellington (3-4) 2.8673
Region 22 – 1. Archbold (7-0) 15.0642, 2. Columbus Grove (7-0) 13.6643, 3. Ashland Crestview (7-0) 12.119, 4. Carey (6-1) 11.0714, 5. Defiance Tinora (6-1) 10.9329, 6. Liberty Center (5-2) 10.3773, 7. Gibsonburg (6-1) 9.1518, 8. Oregon Cardinal Stritch (4-1) 8.6143, 9. North Robinson Colonel Crawford (6-1) 8.1465, 10. Collins Western Reserve (5-2) 7.5036, 11. Attica Seneca East (5-2) 5.6263, 12. Bluffton (4-3) 5.0303, 13. Delta (4-3) 4.6252, 14. Tol. Ottawa Hills (4-3) 3.051, 15. Van Buren (2-4) 2.8409
Region 23 – 1. Beverly Fort Frye (5-1) 13.3276, 2. West Jefferson (7-0) 12.3571, 3. Galion Northmor (7-0) 12.3367, 4. Cols. Africentric (5-1) 10.2319, 5. Proctorville Fairland (5-1) 10.1552, 6. Barnesville (5-1) 8.8563, 7. Worthington Christian (5-1) 6.6364, 8. Willow Wood Symmes Valley (6-0) 6.3958, 9. Nelsonville-York (4-3) 6.1652, 10. Lucasville Valley (4-3) 5.6244, 11. Centerburg (4-2) 5.2803, 12. KIPP Columbus (4-3) 5.1053, 13. Johnstown Northridge (4-3) 4.6875, 14. Coal Grove Dawson-Bryant (4-2) 4.685, 15. Lore City Buckeye Trail (3-4) 4.3705
Region 24 – 1. Mechanicsburg (7-0) 10.355, 2. Harrod Allen East (5-2) 10.0967, 3. Coldwater (6-1) 8.8357, 4. Arcanum (6-1) 8.3878, 5. Cin. Gamble Montessori (5-1) 6.2602, 6. Milford Center Fairbanks (5-2) 6.1429, 7. Bainbridge Paint Valley (4-3) 5.7444, 8. Anna (3-4) 5.3357, 9. Springfield Northeastern (4-3) 4.285, 10. Cin. Country Day (5-2) 4.165, 11. Delphos Jefferson (3-4) 3.7222, 12. Jamestown Greeneview (3-4) 2.5938, 13. Fort Recovery (2-5) 2.5857, 14. Chillicothe Huntington (1-5) 1.986, 15. New Paris National Trail (2-5) 1.7714
Division VII
Region 25 – 1. Norwalk St. Paul (7-0) 13.5795, 2. Lucas (6-1) 11.1643, 3. Independence (6-1) 10.4717, 4. Cuyahoga Hts. (4-1) 8.9282, 5. Dalton (5-2) 8, 6.Warren John F. Kennedy (4-2) 7.2135, 7. Salineville Southern (5-2) 7.1824, 8. Lowellville (5-2) 6.1878, 9. Malvern (5-2) 6.1696, 10. Youngstown Valley Christian (5-1) 5.7892, 11. Plymouth (4-3) 4.9921, 12. Windham (4-2) 4.6322, 13. Monroeville (3-4) 3.9957, 14. Vienna Mathews (4-2) 3.8394, 15. Wellsville (3-2) 3.2494
