COLUMBUS — The Ohio High School Athletic Association Board of Directors approved the 2024 football divisional breakdowns and regional assignments during its April board meeting on Thursday.

The largest 70 schools were placed in Division I, and all remaining schools were divided as equally as possible into Divisions II through VII, with approximately 106 schools per division.

Of note, OHSAA member schools may opt to move up to Division I if Referendum Issue 1B passes this spring. Results of the referendum voting will be announced May 16.

Twelve OVAC schools were affected, with seven moving up a division, one going down a division and four staying in the same division but switching regions.

Jefferson County schools Indian Creek and Steubenville are up from Division IV, Region 13 and will now compete in Division III, Region 11.

Caldwell and Monroe Central bump up from Division VII, Region 27 to Division VI, Region 23.

Belmont County rivals Bellaire and Martins Ferry are also on the move. They go from Division VI, Region 23 to Division V, Region 17, while Buckeye Local joins them after dropping from Division IV, Region 15.

Edison is switching from Division V, Region 17 to Division IV, Region 15.

Steubenville Catholic and Conotton Valley will once again compete in Division VII, but will switch to Region 27 from 25. Also switching regions are Beaver Local and East Liverpool, from 13 to 15 in Division IV.

Earlier this spring, the OHSAA received updated base enrollment data from the Ohio Department of Education to use for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years. In the sport of football, competitive balance data from the previous season is used each season to create a new adjusted enrollment count. The Board of Directors also approved the 2024 football regulations. The official start date for practice is Thursday, August 1. High schools can schedule scrimmages with other schools after one full day of contact practice has been completed. Seventh and eighth grade schools can schedule scrimmages after three full days of contact practice have been completed. In addition, those grade schools can now play eight games regardless of whether they have one or two preseason scrimmages.

Beginning May 15, schools are permitted to have 13 days of practice without pads or hitting. An additional five days are permitted beginning July 15 for schools to complete the mandatory five-day acclimatization period, if they so choose.

The OHSAA does not set a limit on physical fitness training and conditioning workouts in the summer.