OVAC All-Star Football Game Adds Instant Replay For 2026
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WHEELING - Organizers of the OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game are always looking for a way to enhance the mid-summer classic to benefit everyone involved by adding something new each year.
Last year, after a tie in the 2024 contest, overtime was initiated. However, the format never came into play as West Virginia scored as time expired and then converted a two-point pass to win, 15-14 over Ohio.
During the 80th annual matchup on Saturday, July 15 between the Buckeyes and the Mountaineers on the artificial surface inside Wheeling Island Stadium, Instant Replay will be available to try and ensure that correct calls are made.
"We will incorporate Instant Replay into the OVAC All-Star Football Game this year," Sam Jones, OHSAA Officials Hall of Famer and OVAC Director of Officials, said during Thursday's Kickoff Luncheon on the campus of Wheeling University. "We are using the OHSAA model with a few tweeks. There will be no coaches’ challenges. All corrections will come from the booth."
Jones went on to say that "things like scoring plays and turnovers will be confirmed. Things like spots (of the ball) and first downs can be adjusted with replay assistance.
"The Replay Official does have the right to intervene if an erroneous call happens and fix it," Jones stressed.
Officials will communicate to the booth with O 2 O’s (official to official radios), he noted.
Replay officials are Michael Lee (NCAA D-I replay guy in the Patriot and Coastal Ivy Leagues) and Asst. Football Commissioner, Ricky Moore. Tony Wood and Carli McElhenry, along with the John Marshall High School Video class, will provide up to eight feeds for the replay officials to look at.
"Calls will stand, be confirmed, or be overturned," Jones added. "The OVAC wants to do everything possible to ensure that calls are correct.
"All officials on the crew this year were selected to officiate a state championship game in either Ohio or West Virginia last year," he said.
The staff of Wheeling Park will lead West Virginia, while the Ohio team will be coached by St. Clairsville's staff. Both head coaches - the Patriots' Chris Daugherty and the Red Devils' Brett McLean - have prior experience coaching in the star-studded game.
Preliminary rosters were released, but won't be finalized until players report to camp on Monday at 9 a.m. at Wheeling University.
According to Wheeling University President Dianna Vargo, the $2 million refurbishing project at Bishop Schmitt Field is nearly finished, with a few minor details to be completed before the OVAC takes over next week.
"The crews from AstroTurf worked from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. most nights due to the extreme heat," Vargo said. "They have done a fantastic job of getting the field ready in time for the OVAC to utilize it for their practices."
In addition to the football game, which starts at 7:15 p.m., the week leading up to the contest is filled with OVAC-related activities.
On Tuesday, the OVAC Band members will report to Wheeling University and the annual George Strager Evening With the Stars will be held at the Wheeling Park White Palace.
On Wednesday, a rehearsal for the Queen of Queens Pageant will be held at the Capitol Theatre, with the Osiris Shriners Social Presentation and Event also scheduled.
The OVAC Cheerleaders will report to camp Thursday prior to the Queen of Queens Pageant at night inside the Capitol Theatre.
The week concludes with a pep rally on Wheeling University's campus on Friday night.
The 50th annual All-Star Reunion Reception will be held inside WesBanco Arena from 3:30-6:30 p.m. on Saturday prior to the game.