The OHSAA has annouced their updated divisional and regional assignments for the 2024 football season. 

We take a look at the changes occuring among our Central Ohio schools across all seven divisions.

The OHSAA places the 70 largest schools in Division I, while the remaining is split as evenly as possible into Divisions II through VII. Divisions are realigned through updated base enrollment every year, as well as compeptitve balance data. You can see the details of the OHSAA's competetive balance process here: https://www.ohsaa.org/School-Resources/Competitive-Balance-Resource-Center

Division I

Central Crossing is one of three OCC-Ohio schools who will be playing in a new playoff bracket for 2024. After just one season in Division II, the Comets will return to the Division I field. Joining them in Division I will be Watkins Memorial, who will play in Region 3, while Central Crossing returns to region 2, alongside crosstown rival Grove City.

Division II

Additional changes within OCC-Ohio schools are New Albany and Westerville Central, who will move to Division II this season. New Albany's move comes by way of enrollment numbers, while Westerville Central's move is due to compeptitve balance after a 2-9 season. It was their second 2-win season in the past three years. Westerville Central's move now puts two of the three Westerville City Schools in Region 7.

Whitehall-Yearling is the only Central Ohio school to move upward into Division II. With Teays Valley joining the OCC, Whitehall-Yearling becomes the only MSL school inside of Division II and Region 7.

Divison III

Three Columbus City League schools will head to Division III in 2024. Independence and West come in from Division II, while Eastmoor Academy moves up from Division IV. All three schools moves' are enrollment-based. 

Other movements include Bishop Hartley, Licking Valley and Sheridan. Bishop Hartley is now in the same region (11) as Catholic League rival Bishop Watterson. Licking Valley and Sheridan are also in Region 11. 

CBC schools Bellefonotaine and London remain in Division III, but will slide over to Region 12. The two schools met in the Region 11 playoffs last season. 

Divison IV

Heath, Highland (Marengo), New Lexington, and River Valley move from Division V to Division IV and Region 15. Circleville and Ontario move to Division IV after being Division III schools. They will join River Valley as the newest Region 14 schools.

Division V

Johnstown and KIPP Columbus have been placed into Division V after previously being in Division IV, while Northridge and West Libery-Salem come in from Division VI.

Division VI

Centerburg and Madison-Plains move into Division IV after being in Division V, while Berne Union and Mechanicsburg move from Division VIII

Division VII

Newark Catholic is the only Central Ohio school to move into Division VII. The Green Wave were in Division VI last season.