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OHSAA says higher seeded football teams will have choice to host the regional finals

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Posted at 2:50 PM, Oct 20, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-20 14:50:30-04

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio High School Athletic Association said Tuesday afternoon the higher seeded football teams will have the choice to host the regional final games this month.

The OHSAA told member schools in a memo that those football teams may choose to host at a site other than their home location.

Traditionally, the regional finals have been hosted by neutral sites and the OHSAA is in some ways still treating it as such during this shortened season during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Tournament games should be treated as a neutral site game," the OHSAA said. "School specific functions like senior nights, award presentations, etcetera are not permitted at tournament games."

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The OHSAA also added the state semifinal games will be played at neutral sites chosen by the state athletics governing body. OHSAA football administrator Beau Rugg will select those sites.

"The site will be selected based on the best site available," the OHSAA said. "Equal travel distance is not a consideration."

The OHSAA has not said where the state finals locations will be held in November.

The Division I state final is scheduled for Nov. 13. Divisions II-VII will be played in the range of Nov. 19-22.

This Friday night is the Division I regional semifinals. Divisions II-VII are in the regional quarterfinals this weekend.